Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has directed the immediate shutdown of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Bama Local Government Area following reports of increasing criminal activities and the infiltration of insurgents.
The governor announced the decision on Thursday during an assessment visit to the Government Secondary School IDP camp in Gwoza, where he also disclosed plans to close the Gwoza camp within the next two to three weeks after the ongoing profiling of residents is completed.
According to Zulum, the decision follows the successful screening of displaced persons in Bama and the improved security situation in many communities previously occupied by Boko Haram insurgents.
He explained that the camps have become vulnerable to criminal activities, warning that elements linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are gradually infiltrating the facilities.
The governor said verified IDPs would be resettled in their respective communities under the supervision of community leaders as part of efforts to ensure a safe and orderly return.
Zulum also expressed concern over what he described as the growing number of people abandoning their homes to return to displacement camps in search of humanitarian assistance from non-governmental organisations.
He revealed that the screening exercise uncovered a significant number of individuals posing as displaced persons, adding that the government could no longer sustain camps populated by fake beneficiaries.
The governor noted that the population of the Gwoza camp had risen sharply despite improved security in the area. He recalled that about a year ago the camp housed fewer than 400 households, but now accommodates nearly 3,000 households, many of whom already have homes within the town.
He stressed that the government would ensure the resettlement process is sustainable while preventing abuse of humanitarian support and strengthening security across the affected communities.
Zulum Orders Closure Of Bama IDP Camp Over Insecurity
