By Manzo Ezekiel

Mallam Mohammed Muhammadu, a suya meat seller in Gombi town, is excited being back to his business after his displacement and forced sojourn as a result of attack by insurgents on the town. His experience is same as that of many other returnees who were similarly displaced and also suffered untold hardship following the unlawful invasion of their towns and communities by terrorists in North Eastern Nigeria.

DISPLACED—Some Internally Displaced Persons (Idps) during the visit of Gov Kashim Shettima of Borno State to their camp in Maiduguri, weekend. File Photo.

The reigns of terror have since ended in many of the affected communities with the stepping up of military campaigns by the Nigerian armed forces which have succeeded in flushing out the insurgents and making the areas safe enough for the displaced people to return home.

While the military action continues, humanitarian measures, spearheaded by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, at the behest of President Goodluck Jonathan,  have begun to be deployed to meet the needs of the returnees and the affected communities. Beginning with Adamawa State, the President’s message of hope to the returnees was delivered by the Minister of Youth Development Mr Boni Haruna, a former governor of the state.

The assessment visits in Adamawa State have seen the Federal Government’s team, led by the Minister of Youth Development, and comprising representative of NEMA’s Director General, staff of the Agency and the state officials, touring all affected areas. The Red Cross also joined in the visits to about eight affected local government areas which are Gombi, Hong, Mubi North, Mubi South, Michika, Ganye, Madagali and Maiha.

The relics of destruction in most of the communities remain a concrete evidence of the destructive frenzy of the blood-thirsty terrorists. Of course, this would have been worse but for the gallant intervention of the armed forces. But it will take some time before most of the communities will recover from the serious damages done to homes and public infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, bridges, police stations, banks, etc. Places of public worship such as Churches and Mosques were also not spared.

For instance, the terror raid on Ganye town was carried out about two years ago but evidences of the accompanying destruction are still glaring. The initial supports from the Federal and Adamawa State governments brought about the resettlement of some of the affected persons. The Gangwari of Ganye, while receiving the Federal Government, delegation requested for more supports towards the restoration of the town and rebuilding of public facilities destroyed.

The restoration of security in the reclaimed communities have paved way for the return of many displaced persons who now affirm that indeed “there is no place like home.”  A returnee Mr. Bitrus T. Yohana who works in Federal Polytechnic Mubi and resides in the town said he could no longer remain an IDP in Yola since his home has been liberated and safe enough for his return. Same with Madam Ladi of Mararaban Mubi as well as many other returnees.

With the restoration of security, law and order to the reclaimed communities, the immediate need would be the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and supports for the people to return to their normal livelihoods. This underscore the steps taken by the Federal Government through the conduct of rapid assessment in the communities and visits to build confidence in the people. On its part, NEMA has commenced the collation of data on the damages which would soon be followed by the deployment of supports to the people to restart their lives again and rebuild their destroyed homes.

It is also argued that the involvement of traditional rulers and community leaders is very  critical in the restoration of the communities. Indeed, this has been fully acknowledged with the courtesy call on the Lamindon Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Bakindo Aliyu Mustapha, at his palace in Yola before the commencement of the visits to the reclaimed local government areas. The State Deputy Governor Alhaji Saad Tahir accompanied the delegation to the palace where the royal father appreciated the moves by the Federal Government and gave his blessing.

In Mubi, the Emir, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu did not only endorsed the move but called on his subjects still iving outside to return home. He commended the President for his support and the armed forces for their gallantry in flushing out the insurgents. The ever-busy Mubi market is now in full swing with trading activities. The Minister of Youths Development took time to visit the market and even interacted with some of the traders.

The military task forces that reclaimed the areas and are still providing the much needed security have also assured that they would continue to secure the places for the residents. The Field Brigade Commander of the military base in Hong, Brigadier General V. Ezogwu, told the delegation that his officers and men were fully motivated and committed to security of the areas.

In the next coming days and weeks, it is expected that most of the IDPs living in various camps would begin to return home as efforts have commenced to support in their resettlement.