Some residents who infiltrated the Internally Displaced Persons camps for flood victims in Borno State have stated that they were forced to enter the camps due to the current hardship in the country.
The residents, mostly women, disclosed this during an interactive session with our correspondent in Maiduguri on Monday.
They expressed that the economic situation in the country is no longer bearable, and they cannot sit idly by while trucks of food items and cash enter the camps daily without being beneficiaries.
Speaking with one of the residents who infiltrated the camp at Ajilari Community Secondary School, Aisha Kuda, she said, “We are suffering from hunger; our children have started stealing due to poverty. Our girls are getting unwanted pregnancies because they are lured with money.
That is why we are going there to get something to eat.”
“We are pleading with the government to help us as they are helping the IDPs because we are in a critical condition too,” she pleaded.
Safiya Abdullahi stressed that it is unjust to overlook those affected by the flood who are residing with relatives instead of in the camps.
“We are hungry. Not everyone can stay in the camp because some have relatives who are not affected, just like myself. This does not mean we should be exempted. When the flood came, my family was displaced from Gwange, and we left to stay with my relative in Wulari. When we heard about the food and cash distribution in Bakassi camp, we went there.
“Upon getting there, they said we were not eligible to receive items. This happened the day the governor visited to share 10,000 Naira in the camp,” she stated.
On her part, Hannah Johnson, a Maiduguri resident, mentioned that she was aware of the different church denominations that have donated to the camp.
“I know some churches, including Dunamis and Apostle Suleiman’s church, have donated. Even though it was meant for those in the camp, some of us were affected by the flood, and we decided to stay out of the camp. How can you remove us from the list of beneficiaries?”
She continued, “I was in Yerwa camp a few days ago, and they said we wouldn’t benefit as long as we are not living in the camp. I went back home with nothing. This is uncalled-for.”
PUNCH reported that the governor of the state, Babagana Zulum, alleged the infiltration of camps by people not affected by the flood.
Following the allegation, he directed that only camps being operated in schools would be closed to allow learning activities to fully resume across the state.
[Punch]