Nigeria, often referred to as the "Giant of Africa," is facing an escalating crisis that demands the world's attention. Over the past few years, the country has witnessed a surge in violence, as herders have been implicated in acts of terrorism and have caused widespread displacement of communities. The humanitarian crisis has reached such a critical point that the United Nations has stated that the situation in Internally Displaced Persons' (IDPs) camps in Benue State is worse than that in the North Eastern region, including Borno State, which is known as the headquarters of Boko Haram insurgency.

THE UN'S CONCERN:

The Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr. Mathias Schmale, raised the alarm when he visited Governor Hyacinth Alia in Benue State. According to him, the humanitarian crisis in IDP camps in Benue State surpasses the severity of the crisis in Borno State, which has long been grappling with the devastating impact of Boko Haram. The situation in Benue, largely fueled by herder-related violence, has left over 241,342 individuals displaced, struggling to find shelter, food, and safety.

The crisis in Benue State is a stark reminder of the urgency needed to address the growing humanitarian disaster that has engulfed the nation. These IDP camps are overcrowded and under-resourced, with families living in dire conditions and lacking basic necessities. The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations are working tirelessly to provide assistance, but the scale of the crisis exceeds the available resources.

INTERNATIONAL WARNINGS:

The severity of the situation is further emphasized by the travel advisories issued by prominent nations like Canada and the United States. On November 6, 2023, the government of Canada updated its travel advisory to warn its citizens against non-essential travel to Nigeria. The advisory cited the unpredictable security situation throughout the country, coupled with the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks, and kidnappings as the key reasons behind this decision.

Canada's advisory comes just days after the United States issued its own warning to its citizens in Nigeria on November 3, 2023. These advisories are a testament to the worsening security conditions in the country, making it evident that the crisis is no longer confined to specific regions but has spread across Nigeria.

In addition to avoiding Nigeria as a whole, Canada has also singled out several Nigerian states, such as Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Kogi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Yobe, and the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers (except Rivers' capital city, Port Harcourt). This is due to the risks of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, inter-communal violence, and sectarian clashes that continue to plague these regions.
As a citizen of Benue State, it saddens me every time I journey from Abuja to Makurdi. The heartbreaking sight of IDP camps as you near Makurdi leaves one contemplating the plight of these blameless individuals who've been compelled to abandon their homes. Their loved ones have fallen victim to the brutality of herders who persistently commit these heinous acts. It leads one to ponder how few of these culprits' backers have faced legal consequences. These are individuals who openly issue threats, yet it seems as though nobody is willing to hold them accountable for their actions.

A CALL TO ACTION:

Nigeria's humanitarian crisis is a stark reminder that urgent action is needed to address the escalating violence and displacement. The situation is not confined to one region or group; it affects the entire nation and demands a collective response from both the Nigerian government and the international community.

It is imperative for the Nigerian government to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens by taking effective measures to curb the violence and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities. Collaboration with international organizations and neighboring countries is essential to finding a lasting solution to the crisis.

The international community must also step up its efforts to support Nigeria in dealing with this humanitarian disaster. Increased humanitarian aid, security cooperation, and diplomatic initiatives are vital to bringing stability and peace back to Nigeria.
Nigeria's growing humanitarian crisis is a tragedy that cannot be ignored. As international warnings continue to highlight the severity of the situation, the world must come together to support the people of Nigeria and work towards a future where peace and stability prevail over violence and displacement. It is a collective responsibility to ensure that the "Giant of Africa" regains its strength and remains a beacon of hope for its citizens.

It's more saddening that the Nigeria press is not highlighting the plights of our fellow citizens in their various IDP camps and what brought them there, urging the government to show utmost responsibility over this vexed issue of Fulani-herdsmen atrocities across the nation.
The affected people in IDP camps are also surprisingly not making much noise over their unjustified predicaments, instead they prefer to be suffering silently.
some nigerians are protesting against the Israelis for waging war against the terrorists, while they are ashamedly mute over the deaths of their fellow innocent citizens, to the slaughtering hands of an internal groups of terrorists.
what a nation we are !!!

I concur with your perspective on the lack of adequate awareness. It is evident that these challenges run deep, and it is imperative for the government, civil society, and the international community to collaborate in order to identify solutions and extend assistance to those in need.

Furthermore, it is worth considering that, given the government's inability to curb the activities of the killer herdsmen and their sponsors in committing these atrocious crimes against humanity, it becomes essential for local communities to be empowered to defend themselves against such attacks. Every Nigerian life matters, and both the government and affected states must adopt innovative strategies to put an end to these malevolent forces.
Enough is Enough!!!