- Some displaced persons in Borno state insist on returning to their homes in Bama
- The police arrest some internal refugees for demonstrating after being told their return to Bama is unsafe
Flooding in Benue state leads to increase in the number of displaced persons in the state
Some internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been arrested by the Borno state police command following their botched protest to return to their homes in Bama after more than three years.
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The Nation reports that the protest occurred on Sunday, September, 23, after some internal refugees demanded to return to Bama where they have been displaced by the Boko Haram crisis.
The protesters were led by Alhaji Muhammad Hassan under the coordination of Bama initiative for human development.
Hassan said the people were tired of living as displaced persons and were ready to return home even if it means by trekking to Bama.
He said: “We are in Maiduguri for more than three years without meaningful means of livelihoods. The condition of our people is pathetic. The elongation in the process of returning displaced persons to their homes is moving at a snail pace and exposed them to unbearable conditions.
“We could no longer send our children to school; many have died of hunger and starvation. Most of us live in host communities and no one is supporting us."
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But the request of the IDPs to return home was turned down by the police for security reasons.
The Borno police command advised the IDPs to dialogue with the state government and other stakeholders over their demand.
But after some internal refugees failed to heed the advice and began demonstrating, they were arrested by the police.
A source who spoke on the arrest of the IDPs said some protesters were in police custody and that they would be prosecuted for rioting.
“I cannot believe that despite the subtle approach and caution by the CP to these people, some of them went riotous and we were left with no choice but to arrest them. It is the duty of the police to protect lives and property at the same time maintain law and order,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, the recent flooding in Benue state has led to increase in the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
According to the state governor, Samuel Ortom, the state government has spent not less than N50 million to take care of the IDPs.
He said this in reaction to a rumour about alleged diversion of relief materials and misappropriation of funds by some officials of his government meant for flood victims.
Watch a NAIJ.com TV video of Boko Haram survivors narrating their horrible experience:
Source: Naij.com
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Monday, 25 September 2017