IDPs struggle to rebuild their lives

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June 13, 2016 4:09 PM

An Internally Displaced Woman (IDP) Mrs Helen Peter is carrying a eight month pregnancy with two sick children without a decent apartment to lay their head in the North Eastern State of Adamawa.

Mrs Helen

Mrs Helen who is originally from Madagali LGA Northern part of Adamawa state is one among many people left with the bedevilled effects of Boko Haram attacks.

She was seen roaming the streets of Jimeta dragging along with her two little Children between the ages of four and two. They have no knowledge of their father's whereabouts.

She keeps crying. Many people that saw her for the first time concluded she was having a mental disorder.

Mrs Helen Peter was as normal as any human being but her condition is the effect of the seven year war launched by Boko Haram insurgents seeking to establish an Islamic State in North Eastern Nigeria.

"When Boko Haram overran Madagali where we live, we all move down to Yola. We were in NYSC IDP camp. My husband later said he rented an apartment for me and the two kids. After some weeks, he told me he was living to look for greener pastures outside Yola and that he will becoming time to time to see us. Since then, I've not set my eyes on him," Helen said.

"The landlord sent us packing because our tenement rent expired. We went back to the IDPs camp but were rejected," Helen said adding, "I and my kids resolved to be sleeping outside. We move from one place to another thinking we can find a helper or anybody that we know," she said.

Her two kids look sick, hungry and need urgent medical attention which has shown all over their body with serious acute skin diseases.

Mrs Helen admitted her children are sick adding that the younger one almost died as a result of high fever.

"I'm confused just thinking of how I will go back to Madagali to see how my mother in-law is faring," she said.

Mrs Helen, who is carrying a pregnancy of about eight months, blames her husband for subjecting her to more pains.

With all the agony face my many residents in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, the insurgents have not given up the fight despite military successes.

A member representing Madagali in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Tsandu said on Sunday, June 12 2016 that Madagali is not totally set free from the attacks of Boko Haram.

He further said that aside Madagali and Gulak, many surrounding environments are prone to the insurgents attacks.

"There are always reports of intermittently attacks from villages that borders Sambisa Forest, Chibok and Gwoza. “

"I have asked Mrs Helen to stay because her community is still not safe. We will take care of her and the children," Tsandu said.

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