DISPLACED IN THEIR OWN LAND: A STUDY ON INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT IN NIGERIA

DISPLACED IN THEIR OWN LAND: A STUDY ON INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT IN NIGERIA

Nigeria takes pride in its self-proclaimed status as the leading nation in Africa, often referred to as the “giant of Africa.” This perception has significantly influenced its foreign policy, which is characterized by a strong focus on African affairs, commonly known as an Afro-centric approach. Nevertheless, the nation is confronted with various internal challenges, including terrorism, poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and child abuse, among others. These issues have led to the displacement of numerous individuals who are seeking asylum in different regions within the nation. The primary objective of this study is to examine the phenomenon of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. This study aims to analyze the underlying factors contributing to internal displacement and its subsequent impacts, with the intention of providing viable and enduring solutions for policymakers and other relevant stakeholders. This study employed a content analysis methodology to examine existing literature on internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

According to the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, individuals referred to as internally displaced persons (IDPs) are those who have been compelled or coerced to evacuate or abandon their residences or habitual dwelling places. This displacement is primarily due to the consequences of armed conflict, instances of widespread violence, human rights violations, or occurrences of natural or man-made disasters. Importantly, these individuals have not crossed an internationally recognized border of a state. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, 2015), the global population of forcibly displaced individuals reached a record high of 59.5 million by the conclusion of 2014. According to a report from the United Nations, at the conclusion of 2014, approximately one out of every 122 individuals on Earth was either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum due to the effects of war, violence, and persecution. The occurrence of internal displacement in Nigeria is a recurrent and extensive phenomenon that has had an impact on the majority of the nation’s 36 states. The most populous country in Africa has experienced numerous instances of displacement, varying in magnitude, primarily attributed to conflict, widespread violence, natural calamities, and infringements upon human rights (Nigeria Bar, 2015). The escalating instances of lethal assaults on border communities, coupled with the consequential devastation of properties, businesses, and farmlands, compelled numerous residents to seek refuge in adjacent towns, villages, and the neighboring countries of Cameroon and Niger. According to Okon (2018), in the year 2014, the Islamist sect was responsible for the deaths of approximately 2,000 individuals, with over half of the victims being civilians. Based on data provided by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA), a total of 300,000 individuals residing in the regions of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe have been displaced from their residences since the beginning of 2013. Notably, approximately 70 percent of these displaced individuals are women and children (naij.com, n.d.). The occurrence of communal clashes in Nigeria is identified as an additional contributing factor to the significant population of individuals who have been displaced. According to Okon (2018), there have been numerous instances of conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in states like Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, and certain areas of Kaduna, resulting in a death toll exceeding 1,000 individuals since December 2014. The phenomenon of communal clashes pertains to instances of religious intolerance, resulting in the loss of human lives and destruction of property, often perpetrated by different religious factions. The occurrence of violence compels individuals to relocate from their residences to different regions within the country in pursuit of a place of safety and protection.

Ibeeanu (1998) conducted an examination of the causes and various factors that contribute to internal population displacement in Nigeria. The argument presented challenges conventional explanations by asserting that population displacement is a multifaceted issue that primarily occurs when a group’s rights are infringed upon or denied, or when the safety and security of its members are jeopardized. The role of the state plays a significant role in causing population displacement, particularly in cases where it fails to provide equal access and sufficient physical security to its citizens. In his scholarly article, Ibeanu (2001) posited that the issue of population displacement in nations such as Nigeria should not solely be attributed to the actions of the state, but rather should be fundamentally perceived because of the process of state formation.

In 2009, Bamgbose conducted a separate examination of two distinct occurrences: an accidental bomb blast at Ikeja Cantonment, and an ethnic conflict between the Yoruba and Hausa communities at Idi-Araba, Mushin in the suburban region of Lagos. The occurrences that transpired at two distinct sites in Lagos, Nigeria were of significant and distressing nature due to the extensive displacement of individuals, resulting in thousands of people being rendered homeless. Additionally, these incidents led to the loss of numerous lives, the destruction of various properties, including buildings. Consequently, they necessitated the urgent intervention of the government to provide relief and support to those affected by these unfortunate events. The paper additionally highlights that coerced or involuntary migration can result in the displacement of individuals, even in cases where they do not necessarily traverse international borders.

In 2014, Okoli and Iortyer conducted a study examining the humanitarian consequences of terrorism in Nigeria, specifically focusing on the Boko Haram insurgency. Through rigorous scholarly analysis and the examination of empirical data, this paper argues, based on secondary sources, that the Boko Haram insurgency has led to a severe humanitarian crisis.This crisis is manifested through the loss of human lives, violations of human rights, the displacement of populations and the creation of a refugee crisis, the disruption of livelihoods, and the exacerbation of public insecurity. This paper argues that the aforementioned scenario has adverse implications for the maintenance of national security in Nigeria. According to Ibeanu’s (2015) study entitled “Between Refuge and Rights: Internally Displaced Persons and Inclusive Electoral Process in Nigeria,” certain individuals raised apprehensions regarding the implementation of voting rights for internally displaced persons (IDPs). One of the concerns expressed by the individuals was the potential for abuse, either in the present year of 2015 or in subsequent years. This scenario is particularly likely to occur when lacking appropriate institutional safeguards. In the study conducted by Badau and Ndagana (2016), the authors examined the management of multicultural education programmes for rehabilitating internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the refugee camps of North Eastern Nigeria. The findings revealed several issues, including the lack of inclusion of most children from Boko Haram IDP families in multicultural education programmes. Furthermore, teachers were not adequately provided for these programmes, the curriculum lacked support, and there was a lack of coordination in education policy among governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international donor agencies involved in the rehabilitation efforts for Boko Haram IDPs in the refugee camps of North Eastern Nigeria. The study conducted by Adamu and Rasheed (2016) investigated the state of insecurity in Northern Nigeria and its impact on internally displaced persons (IDPs). The paper demonstrates that the current state of insecurity in Nigeria has resulted in a significant portion of the population becoming vulnerable and prone to various forms of exploitation, abuse, neglect, and homelessness, particularly in the northern region of the country. It is noteworthy to acknowledge that certain individuals have experienced displacement as a result of government policies, primarily centered on residential construction or development projects. Although the government may have valid reasons for evicting individuals who have unlawfully occupied lands, there is a notable absence of a government-established mechanism to provide housing for these individuals. It is imperative to acknowledge that a subset of internally displaced individuals comprises minors. The phenomenon of child abuse significantly contributes to the problem of internal displacement.

This phenomenon occurs since these children choose to leave their households because of the adverse treatment they experience within their domestic environments. Certain individuals’ resort to engaging in street vending, while others unfortunately fall victim to unscrupulous individuals who exploit these children for illicit activities such as theft and other societal transgressions. It is worth noting that there are situations in which women are compelled to vacate their residences and seek refuge in camps or on the streets due to experiencing domestic violence perpetrated by their partners. Similarly, it is imperative for the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to confront the cultural narrative that perpetuates the marginalization of women as subordinate individuals. The phenomenon of population displacement has wide-ranging implications for individuals who experience it. Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that this phenomenon has significant psychological implications, as it engenders long-lasting trauma in its victims. These individuals often experience emotional distress, as some may have suffered the loss of their loved ones during their journey in search of asylum. On a different note, individuals may experience suicidal ideation because of their emotional disconnection from their estranged familial relationships. It is important to acknowledge that individuals may experience a sense of alienation upon reintegration into society, leading them to voluntarily withdraw from social interactions. Consequently, the psychological strain associated with residing in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps may compel individuals to resort to acts of violence as a means of alleviating their impoverished circumstances. There is a possibility that individuals could assume the role of informants for terrorist organizations, enticed by the provision of sustenance and accommodation. Considering this matter, they present a potential risk to the security of the nation.

The phenomenon of internal displacement is also accompanied by the proliferation of diseases within the camps where internally displaced persons (IDPs) reside. For instance, the transmission of HIV may occur more readily among these individuals due to their lack of access to effective preventive measures. In certain instances, there appears to be a correlation between elevated birth rates and increased child mortality rates within these camps, which can be attributed to the limited availability of quality medical services.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The issue of internally displaced persons has emerged as a significant socio-economic concern, presenting a considerable humanitarian challenge that demands collective attention and action from our global community. To effectively resolve this predicament in Nigeria, the present study proposes the following recommendations. There exists a pressing necessity for the Nigerian government to enhance the security apparatus. This entails ensuring the appropriate provision of weaponry and equipment to the security agencies operating in Nigeria. Furthermore, it is imperative to prioritize inclusivity within the electoral process by establishing mechanisms that enable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to exercise their voting rights during elections. In a similar vein, it is imperative to address the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS by implementing educational initiatives, thereby facilitating access to appropriate support for individuals living with HIV. It is imperative for the government to formulate and implement sustainable agricultural policies and programs to combat food insecurity within the nation. It is recommended that the establishment of rehabilitation centers be considered to accommodate and provide for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with the inclusion of educational facilities to support their needs. This intervention aims to facilitate the successful reintegration of children who have experienced educational gaps and other internally displaced persons (IDPs) into society.

References

Adamu, A., and Rasheed, Z. (2016). Effects of Insecurity on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Northern Nigeria: Prognosis and Diagnosis. Global Journal of Human-Social       Science: Political Science,16(1), 10- 21.

Adesote S., and Peters, A. (2015). A Historical Analysis of Violence and Internal Population          Displacement in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, 1999-2011.International Journal of Peace and     Conflict Studies (IJPCS), 2(3),13-22.

Ajiboye, S., Akinlabi, A., and Ajokpaniovo, M. (2015). Psychosocial Challenges of Disaster –         Induced Internally Displaced Women in Lagos State.Ejournals,17(2),89-98.

Azam, J. (2008). Betting on Displacement: Oil, Violence, and the Switch to Civilian Rule in      Nigeria. Toulouse School of Economics (UT1, ARQADE, IDEI) and InstitutUniversitaire     de France. Retrieved 27^th June 2023, from            http://publications.utcapitole.fr/3245/1/wp_dev_34_2009.pdf

Badau, K., and Ndagana, J. (2016). Managing Multicultural Education Programmes for          Rehabilitating Boko Haram Internally Displaced Persons in Refugee Camps of             Northeastern Nigeria. British Journal of Education, 4(1) 51-63.

Durosaro, I., and Ajiboye, S. (2011). Problems and Coping Strategies of Internally Displaced           Adolescents in Jos Metropolis. Nigeria International Journal of Humanities and Social        Sciences, 1(20), 256-262.

Ibeanu, O. (2001). State-Making and Internal Population Displacement: Factoring the State into          Forced Migration in Nigeria during Military Rule. Africa at Crossroads: Complex Political            Emergencies in the 21st Century, UNE SCO / ENA, 2001.            Retrieved 27^th June 2023,       from http://www.unesco.org/most/crossroadsibea.htm.

Ibeanu, O. (2015). Between Refuge and Rights: Internally Displaced Persons and Inclusive Electoral Process in Nigeria. Lecture delivered at The Electoral Institute (TEI) Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Abuja, Nigeria, 15th December 2015

Ibeeanu, O. (1998). Exiles in their own home: Internal Population Displacement in Nigeria. Afr. Journal of Political Science, 3(2), 80-97.

Naij.com (n.d.). Nigeria has Africa’s Largest Population of Displaced Persons – Report.                    Retrieved 27^th June 2023,       from    https://www.naij.com/66928.htmlhttps://www.naij.com/66928.html.

Nigeria Bar (2015). Strategies for Adopting National Policy on             IDPs. Retrieved 27^th June       2023, from http://www.nigeriabar.com/2015/11/strategiesfor-adopting-national-policy-on         idps#.Vx4Y19QrJdg.

Okoli, A., and Iortyer, P. (2014). Terrorism and Humanitarian Crisis in Nigeria: Insights from             Boko Haram Insurgency. Global Journal of Human-Social Science: Political Science, 14(1), 39-49.

Okon, E. (2018). Internally displaced persons in Nigeria: Review of Empirical Studies. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 2(1), 28-38.

The Guardian (2016). One in every 122 People is Displaced by war, Violence and Persecution,      says UN. Retrieved 27^th June 2023, from http://www.theguardian.com/global- development/2015/jun/18/59m-people-displaced-war-violencepersecution-says-un

UNHCR (2015).”UNHCR – Global Trends –Forced Displacement in 2014″. 18 June

Image Credit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/forced-displacement