Borno Governor Zulum Orders Closure of Bama IDP Camp

On Thursday, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State announced the immediate closure of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Bama, which is the largest displacement facility outside the state capital, Maiduguri. Following an assessment visit to the Gwoza camp, Zulum indicated that it would also close within two to three weeks.

The closure of the Bama camp was set for today, with the governor emphasizing the need for peace to return to communities previously occupied by Boko Haram insurgents over the past seven years. Zulum expressed concern over rising criminal activities within IDP camps, identifying them as hotspots for illicit activities.

He noted that a significant number of fake IDPs were identified during a screening exercise. The governor stated that the government cannot sustain the maintenance of the camp and hinted at the closure of several other camps across the state by the end of his tenure.

He mentioned that almost 3,000 households have returned to their homes, indicating a shift in the situation.