Building a Peaceful Society between Host Community and the Internally Displaced Persons in Gusau communities

Insurgent violence in Nigeria, has escalated into different uncontrollable dimensions. More than one decade after the issue of Boko haram began and despite numerous attempts by the state and other stakeholders to stop the violence, we have kept on grappling with the same issue beginning from the issue of Boko haram to ISIS in West Africa, to ISWAP, to cattle rustling and violent herders only to mention but a few. More to it is the willingness of gullible Nigerians to be recruited into the sects and cause havoc to their supposed fatherland. Although scholars differ on the cause(s) of the violence, nevertheless, there is a strong unanimity that the violence has created complex emergencies, including loss of lives, high levels of diseases, poverty, socioeconomic disparities, rising gender inequality, educational decline, loss of revenue and income, internal displacement, and many less tangible costs.

The current violent extremist crisis is one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the country. Since its outbreak in 2009 to date over 2.9 million people have been displaced internally most of which are from the North East. Such high levels of displacement have had a significant economic and social impact on host communities, the nature of which is complex, dynamic and context driven. We have continued to complain about the staggering number of displaced people in the North East prior to 2020. But it has become imperative to be conscious of a new reality of spill-over of violence in every other states of the country including the FCT. As a result of this new reality, there is now need for new camps, and even in some instances, the integration of IDPs in some communities. It is pertinent to note that while the above solution of integrating IDPs in some host communities has helped in addressing temporarily the issue of  displacement, it has also created another problem which is THE ISSUE OF COMPETITION OF SCARCE RESOURSES WITH THE HOST COMMUNITIES (though that is not to insinuate that it is the only problem or challenge to contend with). Zamfara is one state that is greeted with this new reality of influx of IDPs and the integration of the IDPs in host communities in some cases. The Zamfara State Government has decried the increasing number of IDPs in the state. He revealed that over 784,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to banditry and insecurity are spread across the state. According to statistics, the figure comprised of over 184,000 men and over 600,000 women and children. Relations between host communities and displaced persons are complex. When IDPs first arrive, there is often an expression of solidarity and support as friends or family members help them to get settled. But such good will is often short-lived due to the limited resources of the host community that is also struggling to survive in a country with a dilapidating economy. In general, IDPs are often treated with hostility by some community members. they may be viewed with fear, subjected to persecution for being displaced and blamed for increased crime rates. Cultural, regional and ethnic differences often produce conflicts between the two communities and become excuses for racism and discrimination in daily life, such as in the workplace and in the landlord-tenant relationship. Furthermore, host communities often do not understand the state assistance programs for IDPs. this can lead to hostility toward IDPs and unsubstantiated accusations regarding IDPs’ supposed inability to use state assistance effectively, organize themselves or overcome their present situation and as such according to them, they still. Consequent upon the above, I have decided to come up with this proposal to contribute my quota (as the figurative hummingbird), in addressing this endemic issue which is THE ISSUE OF IDP-Host community relationship in Zamfara state.