Local Government as Potential Leverage for the Management of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria: Study of Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State

Abstract

There are over 59.1 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in over 137 countries of the world with Africa having about 50% of that number. In Nigeria, there is about 28% additional increase in the number of IDPs between 2000 and 2021 taking the figure to as high as 4.4 million people, making it the third highest in the world. Attacks by terrorists on defenceless citizens in some parts of Nigeria, outbreak of epidemics, religious and ethnic crisis etc which contributed to over 23.7 million reported disasters in the world, have led to constant increase in the number of IDPs. The rights and privileges of IDPs are protected locally by the National Policy of Internally and Displaced Persons in Nigeria (NPIDPN), 2012 and internationally by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. The care for IDPs comes from a multi-institutional dimension which includes governments of all levels (Federal, State and Local), international donor organizations and groups as well as individuals. This descriptive study therefore seeks to examine the relevance of local governments in the management of IDPs in Nigeria. Data were generated primarily from a survey carried out 200 IDPs at their camp in Bakassi Local Government Area in Cross River State. Data were equally obtained from secondary sources and analysed by simple polemics. The study recommends a statutory involvement of LGAs in IDP management in Nigeria as this will enhance the provision of basic social values in the IDP camps and promote the presence of government in the camps. The research proposes that LGAs should be statutorily and significantly engaged in IDP management in Nigeria.