IN THE aftermath of a devastating military invasion in March 2024, the residents of Okuama community in Delta State find themselves struggling with unfulfilled governmental promises and deteriorating living conditions. Despite assurances from Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to rebuild essential infrastructure, the community remains in disarray, leaving many questioning the state’s commitment to their rehabilitation.
Following the tragic killing of 17 soldiers on a peace mission in Okuama on March 14, 2024, the military responded with a forceful invasion, resulting in widespread destruction and displacement. Governor Oborevwori, addressing the crisis, pledged to rehabilitate the community and urged residents to relocate to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp established at Ewu Grammar School. He emphasized that moving to the camp would facilitate profiling affected individuals and providing necessary social services.
However, upon returning to their homeland after the camp’s closure on January 1, 2025, residents were met with a harsh reality. The promised reconstruction of vital facilities such as schools, health centres, and town halls remained incomplete. Many found their homes still in ruins, compelling them to erect makeshift shelters.
Children deprived of educational opportunities have resorted to farming and fishing to support their families.
A middle-aged resident, Aaron Ighorhiohwunu, lamented, “It was tough when I returned from the camp, it hasn’t been easy. We started minor fishing to enable us to survive, some have started going to farm now. After the closure of the camp, we have no houses to return to as you can see, while people resorted to building wooden houses just to lay their heads. Our children are out of school because there is no school here. Nothing has changed ever since we were taken to the Internally Displaced Peoples Camp.”
The situation in Okuama is not isolated. Nigeria faces a significant internal displacement crisis. As of December 2023, approximately 3.3 million people were living in internal displacement due to conflict and violence, with about half in Borno State.
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre reported that Africa hosts nearly half of the world’s internally displaced persons, with 35 million people living in internal displacement at the end of 2023.
The Okuama community’s plight underscores the broader challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. The government’s failure to fulfill its promises not only exacerbates the suffering of these individuals but also raises serious human rights concerns. The right to adequate housing, education, and security has been severely compromised.
Mrs. Queen Oghenehwosa, the Okuama Community Chairlady, noted, “After the community was destroyed the governor said he was building a camp for us at Ewu, that we should go there while he commenced building the community. We refused the idea of going to Ewu and insisted that the camp should be built here so that we can settle down quickly but we were forced to go there.”
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The international community has recognized the severity of Nigeria’s displacement crisis. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that an estimated 72.1 million people remained internally displaced due to conflict or violence at mid-2024, a 6% increase from the end of 2023.
The Explainer reported that despite the Delta State government’s initial commitment, the pace of reconstruction has been sluggish. Governor Oborevwori had previously assured that key infrastructures would be rebuilt within three months. Yet, as of late January 2025, these projects remain unfinished, exacerbating the community’s plight.
The residents’ grievances are further compounded by the lack of communication and transparency from the authorities. Many feel abandoned and are calling for immediate action to alleviate their suffering.
The residents of Okuama await tangible actions to restore their homes, livelihoods, and dignity.