Nigeria: Major Refugee Camps in Borno State to Close Amid Security Concerns

The governor of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria has announced the impending closure of major refugee camps within the coming weeks, with the Muna camp, the region’s largest, being the immediate focus. This development, reported by AfricaNews.com, follows the closure of 17 other camps around Maiduguri since 2021, a region significantly impacted by jihadist violence.

Governor Babagana Zulum, during a visit to the Muna camp on Monday, cited crime levels within the camp as a primary driver for the swift closure, according to AfricaNews. The Muna camp was home to over 10,000 families as of early 2024, representing a significant portion of the approximately two million people displaced by the 15-year conflict between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram. Historically, official camps have accommodated over 80% of those displaced.

Authorities are offering displaced individuals between €20 and €50 to facilitate their return to their hometowns or relocation to designated “safe zones,” AfricaNews details. In a recent announcement regarding the resettlement of 6,000 families from the Dikwa and Mafa areas currently in Muna camp, Governor Zulum detailed that each head of household would receive N100,000, with housewives receiving an additional N50,000, alongside food, shelter materials, and healthcare access.

However, human rights organizations have voiced strong criticism regarding the government’s approach. Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated in a 2022 press release that the Borno State government’s actions are “harming hundreds of thousands of displaced people already living in precarious conditions” to advance a “dubious government development agenda to wean people off humanitarian ¹ aid,” as highlighted by Human Rights Watch. The concern is that forcing people from camps without adequate support worsens their suffering and increases their vulnerability.   

This move comes at a time when northeastern Nigeria is experiencing a resurgence of violence. Recent reports indicate that jihadist attacks in late April resulted in nearly 50 fatalities, and an earlier attack in January killed at least 40 farmers, highlighting the fragile security situation in the region. While the government asserts the safety of resettlement areas due to military presence, the actual conditions and long-term viability for returning populations remain a concern for humanitarian groups. The Borno State government emphasizes that these closures are part of a broader strategy for durable solutions, aiming for the self-reliance of IDPs.

Sources:

• AfricaNews.com
• Human Rights Watch (for the 2022 press release)