Borno IDPs deny AI’s report on rights violation

Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from five local government councils in Borno State have denied  Amnesty International’s allegations on rape and human rights abuses against them by the military.

Some of the IDPs, in separate interactions with the  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, denied the allegations.

The IDPs, who spoke with NAN were from Marte, Monguno, Gwoza, Gwuzamala, Nganzai, Bama and Konduga.

Aisha Bukar, an IDP in Bakassi camp, said there were no cases of rape recorded in the camp within the last four years.

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Bukar said soldiers were hardly seen on the camp premises except organisations like the state and national emergency agencies.

She said the soldiers only came into the camp during the distribution of food to maintain order.

Hauwa Ismaila, another IDP, said most cases recorded in the camps were civil cases such as fighting, arising from misunderstanding between persons.

Ismaila admitted that some cases of sexual exploitation had been reported, but it was between IDPs, not with the military.

Mabruka Dibal, another IDP from Gwoza, said it was unfortunate that some people were working towards frustrating the army officials, who had been sacrificing their lives to protect people.

“I think they are trying to divert the attention of the fighting troops. Nobody is raping us. We have been protected for over four years. You can go around and ask anybody,” she said.

Falmata Bukar, the women leader in Dalori IDPs camp, also corroborated the denials, statng that they had been living on the camp peacefully.

Bukar said: “We are IDPs from Bama and I can assure you that nothing of such has ever occurred in the camp in the last four years.

“We have had some cases, but mostly they were between our IDPs. Those who were found guilty of taking advantage of the female IDPs were arrested and punished.

“We have referral centres, where cases of human rights and other forms of abuses were reported and addressed,” she said.

Officials of aid groups working in the camp also denied the allegation.

Chairperson of SEMA, Hajiya Yabawa Kolo, told NAN that “We have our camp managers and camp supervisors who monitor the day-to-day activities in the camps. We have put in place a feedback mechanism of reporting such cases.”

The Bakkassi camp coordinator, Ali Maina, said no cases of domestic violence were recorded, adding that the camp was working towards  ensuring  that the  welfare of all IDPs was prioritised.