The Pathetic Story of IDPs Resorting to Begging

Reports last week about internally displaced persons in Jigawa State taking to begging to survive should make every Nigerian, especially, the federal and state governments, worry.

The IDPs, who had fled from their homes following the invasion of their ancestral lands by Bioko Haram insurgents, were said to be roaming the streets, offices and market places in search of alms. This is a dangerous development capable of creating more security problems than the current Boko Haram terrorism.

The abandoned IDPs risk becoming a ready recruitment ground for criminal groups. And with their IDP status, they may easily have access to people and places, which can be targeted for terrorist attack. The government must move to arrest the developing crisis.
– Vincent Obia