Philanthropists and God-fearing individuals have saved internally displaced persons (IDPs) from being evicted from Sare 1, an unofficial informal camp in Maiduguri – at least for now.
The IDPs had been given three days to vacate the camp, which is on government-owned land.
However, philanthropists intervened and discussed the matter with the Borno State government and managed to get the deadline extended and a pledge from the government to find alternative land for the camp inhabitants.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge at Sare 1 got a nasty surprise in November when the government officials arrived at the camp and told them they had to vacate the place – and gave them just three days to do so.
Modu Ali, who lives in Sare 1, told RNI that the government officials arrived at the camp last month and told the inhabitants that they had to vacate the place, saying that the government owned the land and they wanted it back.
“The government officials gave us a three-day notice period to leave the place. We were shocked and confused. We also panicked because if we leave the camp we don’t know where else to go. Our hometowns in the Konduga Local Government Area were destroyed by Boko Haram [Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād – JAS] insurgents and our houses have not been reconstructed or renovated by the government. Most of us are from the towns of Bula Bulin, Massafannari and Dalwa in Konduga.
“Fortunately, some philanthropists and God-fearing individuals in the host community talked to the government officials and they extended the time in which we have to leave. They also pledged to find another place for us before we have to leave this camp.”
Ali said the inhabitants wanted a new place as soon as possible.
“If we leave this camp without somewhere else to go to, we don’t know where we will end up. The government must help us. We can’t carry on living like this. We settle and then we are told to vacate. It’s a vicious cycle. It just makes life so much harder. As it is, we have many other challenges and to keep having to look for shelter all the time just makes everything worse.
“We are grateful that the government has extended the deadline but the officials must find us another camp or land as soon as possible, so we can leave here.”
Alai Bukar Limanti said: “We have been living in this camp for more than three years now. Then, suddenly, government officials turn up at the camp and ask us to leave because the state wants to use the land for something else. And they gave us just three days to leave. How is that even possible? And where do they expect us to go?
“Initially, the officials came in November. That was when they told us we had three days to vacate the camp. Then they came back again on Tuesday, December 6. They inspected the camp but did not say anything to us about leaving the premises.
“If we leave this place, we don’t know where we will go. It will just bring us more suffering and angst. Even here, we don’t have enough shelters, there are no healthcare facilities, no schools and we struggle to find food. Most of us are used to being hungry all the time.
“If the government wants this land, it must find us other land or another camp where we can settle. And they must also provide food, shelters, healthcare services and schools for our children. We just want the basic amenities. Is that too much to ask? As it is, we have no sustainable way to live. But we are hopeful and optimistic that the Borno State government will address our plight. And we are grateful to Allah and the God-fearing individuals who stepped up to help us.”
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
