AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is a global societal concern that extends beyond the borders of Nigeria. In Nigeria, the period after independence has seen the emergence of a significant number of individuals known as Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs). The scholarly research conducted by Ibietan and Gariwey (2017) revealed that a significant portion of individuals from the eastern region of Nigeria sought asylum in neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Niger during the civil war that took place from 1967 to 1970. However, it is important to note that the majority of individuals from the southeastern part of Nigeria were internally displaced inside the country's borders. In recent times, Nigeria has experienced a convergence of various factors that have brought the issue of internal displacement to the forefront of political discourse and federal government policy. These factors include ongoing ethnic and religious conflicts, communal clashes arising from boundary disputes, disputes over grazing land between farmers and pastoralists, and extensive flooding across different states in Nigeria, which reached unprecedented levels in 2012 (Chibuzor, 2015). As a result, the government has allocated funds and developed policies to address this pressing issue. The emergence of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009 has resulted in a significant conflict in the North-East region of Nigeria. This conflict has led to a large-scale displacement of numerous individuals who have been forced to leave their homes, businesses, and farms due to the intensity of both terrorist attacks and military operations against the insurgents. As a result, more than 1.76 million people have been internally displaced in the North Eastern region of Nigeria, seeking refuge in safer areas of the country (Imasuen, 2015; International Organisation for Immigration IOM, 2016). Based on data provided by the International Organisation for Immigration (2016), it is estimated that the combined number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North East and North Central regions of Nigeria exceeds 2 million individuals. This substantial figure positions Nigeria as the home country for the sixth biggest IDP populations globally. The states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe witnessed a significant surge in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) during the period spanning 2015 and 2016. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC, 2016), the estimated count of IDPs who were forced to flee their homes due to the armed conflict stood at 946,000 in February 2015. However, by October 2016, this figure had escalated to approximately 1.68 million. The bulk of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) are situated in Borno State, with roughly 528,000 IDPs residing in Maiduguri Metropolis and 864,000 IDPs in locations outside Maiduguri Metropolis, sometimes inaccessible to humanitarian organisations. Approximately 22% of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are now live in official IDP camps and camp-like settings, while the larger portion of IDPs are residing within the host community. The displaced people are now residing in unsanitary living circumstances marked by overcrowding and restricted availability of safe, hygienic, and respectable housing. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and those who have returned to Nigeria, living in camps and displacement sites, may find themselves residing in cramped accommodations or alone inside unsafe or unwelcoming regions. This situation exposes them to heightened risks of exploitation and mistreatment. The circumstances are particularly perilous in areas of habitation such as camps, locations of relocation, and structures that are not yet completed. Hence, the absence of adequate accommodation poses a significant and enduring obstacle, so impeding the process of repatriation. The individuals who have been displaced in the area are confronted with hazardous health circumstances and have significant challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services. The health issues that individuals describe mostly stem from changes in their living circumstances. Furthermore, the provision of sustenance and potable water, together with the fulfilment of fundamental necessities, continue to pose challenges for the majority of individuals who have been forcibly relocated, particularly inside semi-arid areas. The primary cause of conflict between displaced and host populations is from the limitations in access, availability, and quality of water resources. The prevalence of severe malnutrition in Nigeria and nations granting refuge has increased due to a significant decline in both the amount and quality of accessible food resources. According to the Cadre Harmonisé, a regional effort that evaluates food security in the Sahel, the number of individuals experiencing acute food insecurity in north-east Nigeria has risen by 50 percent since March 2016, reaching a total of around 5.2 million people (UNHCR, 2017). Households who have been impacted have experienced a series of successive years with limited levels of income, the loss of assets and livelihoods, and less access to food, resulting in an escalation of negative coping mechanisms. It is in recognition of this fact that the study evaluate the effective management of Internal Displacement in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the problem

As a direct consequence of the terrorist activities carried out by the Boko Haram organisation in the Northeast of the country, a great number of Nigerians have been rendered homeless, a great number of villages have been pillaged, a great number of children have been orphaned, and a great number of women have become widows (Obikaze & Onuoha, 2016). The number of people whose lives have been disrupted as a direct result of terrorist activities carried out by Boko Haram has grown. As a direct reaction to these realities and in an effort to address these challenges, the state governments have built camps for internally displaced persons, often known as IDP camps, across the troubled zones. There are many unresolved issues concerning the overall environment, and the individuals who are allowed into these IDP camps do not get enough treatment. This is due to the fact that there is not always a guarantee that they will have access to food, clean water, and medical care. In addition, there are worries about the overall safety of the camps and the people who live there, especially women and children, since there have been allegations of abuse of certain females and children in various IDP camps (Omoraka, 2021). This raises further issues regarding the general safety of the camps and its residents. These significant problems, which often include neglect and abandonment on the part of the state and its agents, tend to surface. IDP camps were ultimately built by the state government in an effort to handle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) issue. These camps were designed to serve as temporary safe havens for the displaced people. The ultimate objective of these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) was to ultimately move these Nigerians back to the land of their ancestors or, if that proved to be impossible, to other peaceful regions that might accommodate them. It has been more than 10 years since the struggle against the Boko Haram rebels began, but it does not seem that there are any acceptable preparations in place for the relocating or resettling of those affected by the conflict. As a result, there are concerns that the area may not be safe for the people to return, and some of the previous returnees may end up returning to the IDP camps.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to  evaluate the effective management of Internal Displacement in Nigeria. The specific objectives is as follows:

i.          Evaluate the causes of internal displacement of Persons in Nigeria.

ii.        Assess challenges faced by internally displaced persons in Nigeria

iii.      Find out the effective way to manage internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

iv.      Ascertain the challenges hampering the effective management of  internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

i.          What are the causes of internal displacement of Persons in Nigeria?

ii.        What are the challenges faced by internally displaced persons in Nigeria?

iii.      Is there an effective way to manage internally displaced persons in Nigeria?

iv.      What are the challenges hampering the effective management of  internally displaced persons in Nigeria?

1.5  Significance of the study

The findings of this research would provide useful information to state government as they will be exposed to the various challenges internally displaced persons go through in their day to day activities. Non-governmental organizations would also benefit from this study even as they worked with IDPs. The research will help the NGO to know to help those who suffer psychologically as a result of what they experienced that necessitate displacement from their homes. This study will provide useful information to the general public. It will provide useful educational materials in the libraries. This study will provide useful literature for further researchers who will conduct related research in the future.

1.6  Scope of the study

The study focuses on  evaluating the effective management of Internal Displacement in Nigeria. Hence, the study will evaluate the causes of internal displacement of Persons in Nigeria, assess challenges faced by internally displaced persons in Nigeria, find out the effective way to manage internally displaced persons in Nigeria and ascertain the challenges hampering the effective management of  internally displaced persons in Nigeria. The study is delimited to IDP camp in Benue State.

1.7 Limitations of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.9 Definition of terms

Management: the process of dealing with or controlling things or people.

IDP: internally displaced persons