The Polarisation of Internally Displaced Persons and Humanitarian Crises in Northeast Nigeria

This study examines the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and humanitarian crises in Northeast Nigeria. The ongoing problem and high rate of the Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria have bedevilled the region where the humanitarian crises have increased. The research engaged in the qualitative content method of generating data for analysis through secondary sources from publications, articles, journals, the Internet, and libraries. Notably, the study discovered that the IDPs are faced with challenges of settlement especially in a new community. Majority of the IDPs are more preoccupied with how to return to their local integration or resettlement than a return. The increasing level of socio-economic and other basic needs challenges facing IDPs in northeastern Nigeria is worrisome. Most of them are faced with issues of attack and psychological effects from the insurgency crisis. Since 2015, northeastern Nigeria — mainly the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe — has experienced ongoing insecurity brought on by Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA). This has caused population relocation, interrupted livelihoods, hunger, and protection issues. The regional humanitarian crisis needs urgent attention to support northeastern Nigeria's various IDPs and workers. The significant factors IDPs associate with the choice of return are the need to rebuild livelihoods and restore social and community networks. The study concludes and recommends that the government and all nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) should support the IDPs and humanitarian work in the northeastern region of Nigeria. Also, the Nigerian government needs to do more by providing security to secure lives and properties in the area.