Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has raised a dire alarm, warning that the Boko Haram insurgency could engulf the entire nation if the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the North-East isn’t contained. This warning was delivered during a meeting with the reconstituted management board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) at the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum pointed out that the persistent existence of internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in various Local Government Areas of Borno State is like a ticking time bomb. He stressed that these camps have inadvertently become recruitment grounds for Boko Haram and ISWAP. The porous borders of Borno State, which shares boundaries with Chad, Cameroon, and Niger Republic, make the security of this region crucial for the entire country.
While other regions of Nigeria grapple with issues like banditry and kidnapping, the North-East faces the persistent threats of Boko Haram and ISWAP. Governor Zulum emphasized the need to regain control over the situation to prevent a potential nationwide catastrophe, as Borno State serves as the hub of these terrorist organizations.
Governor Zulum also lamented the dire circumstances within IDP camps, including the rising instances of prostitution, uncontrolled procreation, and drug abuse. He called for the North East Development Commission to collaborate with the state government to expedite the closure of these IDP camps, allowing people to regain self-sufficiency.
The governor underlined the significance of this action in preventing more individuals from being tempted to join ISWAP and Boko Haram, and he made it clear that the people living in these IDP camps are a matter of grave concern for everyone. Governor Zulum is determined to follow through on his promise to close all official camps within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and now intends to extend this effort to close IDP camps in local government areas, which he believes is vital for the restoration of peace in the region.