Boko Haram: PMB Moves To Provide Succour For IDPs, Other Victims

President Muhammadu Buhari has started moves to restore the livelihood of Nigerians badly affected by Boko Haram attacks.

On his instruction, Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been traveling in the North East in the last two days to see first-hand the condition of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other victims of terrorism in the region.

Osinbajo told IDPs in the NYSC camp and wounded victims of terror attacks being treated at the Federal Medical Centre, both in Yola, that the president was thinking about them every day.

According to him, the president wants the IDPs and all victims of terrorism to be hopeful, that there would be restoration.

He said, "Every day, the president thinks about you. That is why he sent me to come and see, take notes, to understand what is going on, to hear from you, so that I can report to him for positive action. That is why I am here.

"He asked me to say to you that there is hope, great hope; that the federal government under his leadership will ensure everything is done to provide for you and resettle you back to you homes, your work, your businesses and your places of worship.

"But you have to be patient, you have to be patient. As you know, the government has very little money. We are running after all the money everywhere, so that we can use it to serve you."

The vice president noted that the federal government will take seriously the need to sweep off land mines and other forms of explosives from farmlands in territories recently recovered from insurgents.

Speaking at the Bajabure NYSC Orientation Camp in Damare area of Girei local government, Adamawa State, yesterday, Osinbajo noted that the task of de-mining affected farmlands in the recovered areas would receive utmost priority from government.

He added that it is a very important step in achieving the primary objective of rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons back to their homes.

Explaining the seriousness of the situation, he said: "Terrorists plant land mines and other forms of explosives, making it difficult for people to resettle, and that is the reason why it is absolutely important for us that the farmlands are swept clean of mines and explosives. That is a matter we shall take seriously, that is, de-mining of farmlands."

On the problem of unemployment and poverty in Adamawa State, the VP disclosed that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), was specifically concerned about them.

"Naturally on the concern about the question of unemployment in this state and the question generally about poverty in this particular state, the FG is specifically concerned about the issues of mass poverty and one of our cardinal campaign promises is that the poor in this country must not be left behind and must not be forgotten", he said.

He reiterated President Buhari's commitment towards the alleviation of poverty among the masses, promising that government had made it a priority.

Addressing about 2,100 internally displaced persons being accommodated in the camp, the vice president informed them that because the president was concerned about their welfare and the general condition in the camp, he had instructed him to visit them and to find out how they were coping.

He assured them of government's readiness to rebuild their homes, places of worship, markets and schools, and provide other necessary infrastructure which would enable them settle down to normal life in their communities when they return home.

Osinbajo assured the government of Adamawa State that the administration of President Buhari was committed to assisting it in rebuilding and reconstructing affected parts of the state.

He also visited some of the wounded soldiers and other victims being treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, in the company of the state governor, Senator Bindow Jubrilla, and other dignitaries.

Prof Osinbajo had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, who expressed delight at the readiness of the Buhari presidency to confront the insurgency in the state and other parts of the North East.