President Buhari assures internally-displaced persons in Borno of humanitarian assistance

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has assured the over 50,000 Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) resettled at Dikwa town mega camp in Borno State of adequate humanitarian assistance and healthcare before they return to their communities next year.

President Buhari gave the promise yesterday through Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State who addressed the displaced persons at the camp on behalf of the President.

He said: “I share in your hardships, feelings and the devastating conditions you found yourselves. We are doing everything possible to see that we bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency, reconstruct and rehabilitate your communities so that you will go back to your homes.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari heard that there are over 55,000 IDPs in Dikwa town, he sent me to personally come here to see all of you and provide those drugs, foodstuff and other household items. He shared in your feelings, hardships and will support all the displaced persons in this camp, including the ones in Maiduguri, Bama and Biu.”

President Buhari commended the military personnel for sacrificing their lives to protect people’s lives and property in Borno State and North-East geo-political zone, adding that peace was returning to the affected communities.

“Very soon, the federal and state governments will commence the rebuilding and reconstruction of all destroyed communities so that you can go back to your communities on or before May 29, 2016.”

The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Usman Zannah, disclosed that the IDPs fled from Dikwa, Bama, Kala-Balge, Mafa, Marte and Gwoza councils, while the state government feeds them daily with 45 bags of rice for their meals.

He also commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local councils for proving food items, condiments, blankets and other household materials to the IDPs.

He, therefore, called on other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate organisations and individuals to assist the IDPs in camps and those living with their relations and friends in Maiduguri, Biu, Shani and Benishiekh.

Also, the Caretaker Chairman of Dikwa, Mohammed Ali Gana, said that NEMA had provided a truck each of rice, beans, guinea corn, semolina and condiments for the IDPs, while the state government donated two trucks each of maize, beans, guinea corn and rice.

Modu Gumba, a member of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), thanked President Buhari, Governor Shettima, the military, NEMA and other stakeholders for coming to their aid.

He, however, noted that the military should be given a “standing ovasion” for their gallantries and restoration of peace in their communities.

Members of CJTF, according to him, will continue to support the military until Boko Haram insurgents are fully routed from their communities.

Meanwhile, a seven-year-old child in the camp has commended the federal and state governments, saying: “I commend the military for rescuing us from Boko Haram insurgents and bringing all of us here into this camp. These people terrorising and abducting some of us are to be rooted out from our homes before we can return with some of our parents and guardians.”