The Bama Initiative for Human Development, an NGO, on Sunday in Maiduguri staged a peaceful protest demanding the return of internally displaced persons, IDPs, to their respective communities in Bama.
Muhammad Hassan, chairman of the NGO said that the IDPs would want to return and continue their normal activities in view of the prevailing peace in the state.
“We are in Maiduguri for more than three years without meaningful means of livelihoods. The condition of our people is pathetic.
“We could no longer send our children to school; many have died of hunger and starvation. Most of us live in host communities and no one is supporting us,” Hassan stated.
He said that most of them were traumatised, coupled with serious neglect and poor living condition, adding that they are ready to trek back to Bama.
The Police, however, stopped the demonstrators from embarking on the trek and urged them to drop the idea because of safety.
Meanwhile, Damian Chukwu, the state commissioner of police, said that the group had not notified the command over their planned return to Bama.
He advised the IDPs to dialogue with the state government and other stakeholders over their demand so that adequate preparations would be made.
“The police have a duty to protect you and we will not allow you to gather people and expose them to danger in the name of home return.
“Also, there is massive reconstruction and rehabilitation works going on in the town, executed by the Federal and State Government under the Bama Initiative.
“We will not allow you to go because of your safety, you better go back and wait for the time when the government will permit your return to the town,” he said.
NAN
