Ivy Hotel
BY INUSA NDAHI, MAIDUGURI
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has treatened to sack District Heads and
council officials over the abandoning of Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) in “makeshift camps” in Monguno, Borno state.
Shettima gave the warnings weekend, while addressing the displaced
persons, before holding the All Progressive Congress (APC) campaign
rally in Monguno, the Borno North senatorial headquarters.
The abandoned IDPs, according to him, were sacked from their
communities, following recent Boko Haram attacks in Kukawa, Abadam,
Marte, Monguno and Bama Local Government Areas.
“Any District Head, including council chairmen and secretaries that
fail to join these displaced people sacked from their communities to
take refuge in Monguno; has Tuesday this week to join their people.
“These people are distressed and don’t have any place to go and rely
on for their needs for food, shelter and security.
According to him, the makeshift camps are inhabitable that could breed
water and airborne diseases.
Continuing, he added that “When I asked some of the agonising women on the
whereabouts of their local leaders, they said most of them have taken
‘refuge and living’ in Maiduguri metropolis.
“It is at this pathetic moment today (Saturday); I conclude that
District Heads and top council officials have abandoned their people
in Monguno town.”
The State’s Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) yesterday also told The
Guardian that over 58,600 people were displaced in the recent attacks
in Kukawa, Monguno, Abadam and Marte councils.
Shettima said that any affected District Head and council officials
that failed to join IDPs in Monguno on Tuesday, is considered to be
fired by government.
He the leader of the IDPs are supposed to live and attend to their
basic needs of life-food, shelter and security.
He said there may be competent traditional leaders and council
officials for replacement to take good care of IDPs; before they
return to their communities this year.
While appreciating the pathetic living conditions of IDPs, he said
that state government is going to establish more camps in Monguno town
and its environs.