Three agencies of the Federal Government have assured internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, that they will not be forcefully evicted from their camps until the government permanently resettles them.
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Bem Angwe, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammed Sani Sidi and Director, Internal Security, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Isaac Idu gave this assurance in Abuja on Thursday.
They spoke at a meeting of a committee set up to address the plight of IDPs in the FCT, including facilitating their proper resettlement.
The committee chaired by Lambert Oparah of the NHRC presented a draft report of their activities so far, which a meeting of stakeholders, comprising of representatives of relevant government agencies, will consider in their bid to finding solution to the challenges being experienced by IDPs with no officially designated camps.
Angwe said from interaction with the IDPs, most of them were willing to return to their home towns. He said it was the responsibility of the relevant government agencies to help facilitate the return of the IDPs to the home, and ensure they are properly resettled.
Sidi, who corroborated Angwe’s position, said his agency was ready to work with the NHRC and other related agencies in ensuring the rights of the IDPs are not violated.
“We will ensure their safe return to their home states in dignified manner. They will not be forcefully evicted from their current camps, but will be help to relocate,” Sidi said.
