– Buhari says Nigeria has frightening indices of the number of people in IDP camps across the country
– Buhari receives Ambassador Samantha Power in Aso Rock
The number of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Nigerian refugees is frightening, according to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Vanguard reports that Buhari made this known at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he received Ambassador Samantha Power, the United States permanent representatives to the United Nations.
Speaking at the meeting, Buhari however noted that his administration has begun the process of comprehensive compilation of their data to speed up their resettlement.
President Buhari says the number of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Nigerian refugees is frighteninng
He added that the compilation of the IDPs and refugees was being done by designated federal government agencies, the military and other security agencies.
READ ALSO: President Muhammadu Buhari receives Samantha Power
He said: ‘‘We have frightening indices of the number of people and the situation in the IDP camps across the country. And in spite of the government’s efforts and the hospitality of individuals and organizations, the situation needs better handling.
“A large segment of the IDPs are mostly women and children. Some of the children are orphaned and don’t know where they came from.
“Now we are working on getting a comprehensive data of all the people in the camps so that the government and NGOs will be properly briefed on where and how to support them,’’ he said.
Buhari added that IDPs, who were into farming before they were displaced by the Boko Haram, would be mobilized and assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture to return to their farms.
READ ALSO: IDPs forced into prostitution for food
A statement by Femi Adesina, President Buhari’s spokesman reads: “Ambassador Power commended the federal government for always being the first and highest responder to the IDPs in various camps in the country.”
Power, who had earlier visited Nigerian refugees in Cameroun, said the situation in the camps could be improved with more information on the number of people in the camps and their areas of need.
Meanwhile, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has revealed that the IDPs in parts of the state consume about 1800 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice daily.
Shettima made this known while delivering an address at the first annual Dialogue on Rebuilding Peace in Borno state, on Tuesday, April 19.
Food has been a major challenge for the over two million IDPs currently living in various camps and host communities in Borno and other northern states.
According to Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Borno state, the IDPs now steal foods from people’s houses to stay alive.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the commandant of the NSCDC, had said in an interview that the command had recorded ten complaints of food theft by residents of Jidari Polo area in Borno state capital.
Millions of people have been displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency which has caused the death of about 20,000 people since 2009.
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