By Aisha Audu
Mrs. Hannah Usman, a 39-year-old mother, has made a heart-wrenching appeal to the international community, the federal government of Nigeria, and the Borno State Governor to help her find her husband, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram a decade ago.
She is also seeking asylum for herself and her daughters, citing the dire living conditions in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp where they currently reside.
The IDP camp where Mrs. Usman resides is home to thousands of people who have been displaced due to the Boko Haram insurgency. The camp’s residents face numerous challenges, including lack of access to basic necessities, poor sanitation, and inadequate shelter. Many have lost loved ones, and the trauma of their experiences still lingers.
Glory Ayuba, a 12-year-old resident of the camp, remembers the day her family was attacked by Boko Haram insurgents. “I was two years old when they attacked our home,” she said, her eyes welling up with tears. “I don’t remember much, but I know my parents and siblings are dead.”
Rachael John, 15, also lost her mother during an attack. “We hid in the bush for almost a month,” she said, her voice shaking. “We ate wild fruits and drank from a stream. Whenever I remember, I just cry and I won’t be able to eat.”
Musa Ali, a 13-year-old boy, witnessed his father’s death during an attack. “I was walking on the street with my father when we saw people running towards us,” he said. “I saw my father drop to the ground. A shot had hit him and he died instantly.”
The residents of the IDP camp are struggling to access basic necessities like food, shelter, education, and safety. Many are forced to rely on aid agencies for survival. The camp’s coordinator, Solomon Folorunsho, said that the children in the camp often become emotional when they remember their past experiences.
To address the trauma and challenges faced by IDPs, organizations are providing psychosocial support, therapy, and vocational skills training. The government and civil societies must work together to provide sustainable solutions, including access to education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
The search for Mrs. Usman’s husband and other abducted people continues. The government and security agencies must intensify their efforts to rescue those still in captivity and bring perpetrators to justice.
As the international community takes steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, Mrs. Usman’s story serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of those affected by conflict. With the right support and solutions, there is hope for a brighter future for Mrs. Usman, her daughters, and thousands of other IDPs.
The Nigerian government and international community must work together to provide sustainable solutions to the humanitarian crisis in the country. This includes:
The Nigerian government and international community must work together to provide sustainable solutions to the humanitarian crisis in the country, including access to education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for IDPs, improving living conditions in IDP camps, and supporting organizations that provide psychosocial support and therapy to IDPs. By working together, we can provide hope and a brighter future for those affected by conflict in Nigeria.
By working together, we can provide hope and a brighter future for those affected by conflict in Nigeria.
