Displaced persons in Borno state, along with some family members of repentant Boko Haram fighters, have reportedly threatened to return to areas controlled by Boko Haram terrorists, according to SaharaReporters. These individuals, residing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, have cited hunger and hardship as their main reasons for considering such a drastic step. The situation is exacerbated by the countrywide economic difficulties, which have led to nationwide protests organized by labor unions.
Both the IDPs and the families of the repentant fighters have accused the authorities of failing to provide regular supplies of food and other essential needs. They claim that their living conditions under Boko Haram’s control were more bearable, as they now face a lack of basic necessities and the absence of farmland for cultivation. Some have expressed that life in the IDP camps is so dire that returning to Boko Haram-controlled areas seems like a viable option for survival.
A displaced person from Dikwa voiced their frustrations, stating that some of their colleagues have already decided to return to Boko Haram territories due to the unbearable conditions in the camps. Another individual highlighted the desperation of their situation by noting that facing death is inevitable, whether in the camp or in Boko Haram-controlled areas.
In response to these complaints, Borno state governor Babagana Umara Zulum dismissed them as baseless and remarked that those wishing to return to Boko Haram territories are free to do so. This situation underscores the severe challenges faced by displaced persons and the complexities involved in addressing the aftermath of conflict and insurgency in the region.