Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has warned that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state are turning into drug users, prostitutes and creating another danger to the security of the state and the country.
“We returned many (IDPs), but still, we have over one million people, internally displaced people living in IDPS camps, that is increasing prostitution in IDP camps; that is increasing procreation without care in the IDP camps.
“There is drug abuse in the IDP camps.
“…many of such people will decide to join ISWAP and Boko Haram.”
Professor Zulum spoke yesterday October 30, when he hosted the reconstituted management board of the North East Development Commission.
He expressed fear that the continuous existence of Internally Displaced Persons camps in Local Government Areas of Borno State is a potential time bomb.
“We have to stop the younger ones from being recruited into Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“Otherwise, in the near future, the entire Nigeria will be wiped off the map.
“We want the intervention of the North East Development Commission.
“We want you to partner with the state government for us to close these IDP camps so that people can earn their means of livelihood by themselves.
“Otherwise, many of the people will decide to join ISWAP and Boko Haram.
“These people who are living in IDP camps are a matter of great concern to all of us.
“On the assumption of duty, I promised the people of Borno State that I’d close all official camps that are inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and we did so with the help of Almighty Allah.
“Now my next agenda is to see how we shall close all the IDP camps that are in the local government areas without which there shall be no peace.”
