INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND REMEDIES

Abstract

For over a decade now, residents of North Eastern Nigeria have been sleeping with one eye open and at times with two eyes open. The activities of the Jama’atu Ahlu                    s-Sunnati Lil Da’wa wal-Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, have unleashed terror and untold hardship on the people to the extent that over three million persons have been displaced across Nigeria and about three hundred thousand becoming refugees in neighbouring countries. Efforts by both the Federal and state Governments to bring the situation under control and restore peace and normalcy have always been met with more attacks by the insurgents. Thus, thousands of people are displaced from their homes each year due to conflicts and Boko Haram insurgency. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) are sometimes  subjected to physical attacks, sexual or gender-based violence and run the risk of being separated from family members and means of livelihood. They are also deprived of adequate shelter, food and health services leading to severe sufferings and subsequent death. Government’s efforts at providing succour to the IDPs are grossly inadequate. The objective of this paper is to find out the causes-both remote and immediate-of the Boko Haram insurgency that gave rise to IDPs. The Dispersed Aggression Theory was adopted as its theoretical framework. Useful recommendations were made here towards bringing the situation under control and both the Federal Government and the affected state governments are advised to ensure strict enforcement of the 1998 guiding principles on internal displacement.