Displaced Nigerians Fear Boko Haram, Refuse to Leave Closing Camps

Displaced Nigerians Fear Boko Haram, Refuse to Leave Closing Camps
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Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State are refusing to leave closing camps, citing a deep-seated fear of returning to their hometowns due to ongoing Boko Haram violence. According to a report from Al Jazeera, while state authorities have ordered the closure of the camps to “restore dignity” and claim improved security, many displaced individuals believe their communities remain unsafe.

The article highlights that despite government declarations, Boko Haram has launched new attacks, killing soldiers and forcing resettled residents to flee once again. The situation is compounding a humanitarian crisis, with 4.5 million people in northeastern Nigeria requiring assistance and many children at risk of acute malnutrition.

The report also details the psychological trauma and food scarcity faced by those who have been displaced for years. Security analysts and humanitarian workers agree that current conditions make a safe and permanent return difficult, leaving many IDPs trapped between the violence they fled and the hardship of staying in decaying camps.