Investigations by our reporters have unearthed a shady dimension to the administration of relief materials and other benefits at the various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps strewn across the northern part of the country. IDPs sprouted in Abuja and parts of the North in the advent of the Boko Haram menace. Meant to be a temporary abode for displaced persons, some Nigerians have turned the initiative of IDP camps into a money-making venture.
According to findings around Abuja, Adamawa, Gombe and Borno State IDP camps, the methodology of the crooks involve diversion of donated relief materials by those who were charged with the responsibility of distributing them; internal swindling of inmates of the camps by fellow inmates; collusion with inmates by outsiders to steal materials donated to camps and shortchanging of inmates by government officials.
In one Adamawa IDP, an inmate reportedly bought a car and another was able to build a house in town while still at the camp. Investigations showed that these were senior persons within the camp who were appointed as local administrators of the camp.
In Abuja IDP camp, inmates were recently forced to appeal to spirited individuals and organisations planning to contribute towards their well-being to deal directly with them rather than going through questionable Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that may not have their best interest at heart.
That appeal came on the heels of revelation of starvation and hunger in various IDP Camps despite billions of naira worth of gifts and cash donated for their upkeep.
The IDPs made the request when the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), as part of the activities put in place to provide succour to the poor and ensure the well-being of the displaced persons, gave food items worth thousands to the New Kuchingoro Camp in Abuja.
According to the Chairman of the IDPs, Mr. Philemon Emmanuel, they have been surviving since their relocation from the North Eastern states following the activities of the Boko Haram Terrorists in 2014 to the camp, on the goodwill of some genuine NGOs, spirited individuals, and faith-based organisations amongst others.
“We have been here since 2014, we are 1467 persons from Borno State Kozar local government area and 56 from Adamawa. And we have been surviving because of the help of some churches, organisation, mosques and private individuals.
“We hear many times that people have donated items to assist IDPs in Abuja but don’t get to see the donations. Recently, we heard that Dangote donated items worth millions of Naira to IDPs in Abuja but we are yet to receive the items. We however want to appeal that if some people want to help they should come through the IDPs camp so we can get the assistance directly,” Emmanuel remarked.
Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Secretary, Dr Danlami Rukuje, over alleged diversion of materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Rukuje was arrested at the Gombe Zonal Office on Wednesday following a tip-off received by the Intelligence and Special Operations Section (ISOS) of the commission.
“The materials, which include cans of paints and bags of cement meant as building materials donated to the state by the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiatives (PCNI) never made it to the IDP camps.
“Investigations revealed that they were, instead, diverted to other areas including markets for sale.
“A team of operatives acting on the information, immediately swung into action and located shops where the materials were being sold.
“The Gombe State Fertiliser Grinding Plant, where some of the materials were kept, was also raided.
“A storekeeper at the state’s Emergency Agency, Isa Garba, was subsequently arrested.
“Further investigations led to the arrest of a staff of the state’s Fertiliser Grinding Plant, Mu’azu Suleman.
“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,’’ the EFCC said on its website.
