Gunning after IDP rice

We are shocked and saddened by the sorry
stories making the rounds that some
unscrupulous government officials are now

going after the food items which are meant
to feed the victims and escapees of Boko
Haram attacks who have been sheltered
inside and outside the Internally Displaced
Persons (IDP) camps in the North East,
especially Borno State.
Earlier last week, reports had it that some
officials of the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA) were caught
re-bagging the rice procured by government,
charitable Nigerians and foreign donors for
the feeding of the IDPs. When the story
broke, the Borno State Governor, Alhaji
Kashim Shettima, ordered an investigation
with a view to dealing with those behind
those dastardly acts.
On Thursday, June 23,
there were media reports that a “shootout”
took place in the Borno State Government
House between policemen stationed to
guard the rice meant for the displaced
persons and some soldiers. The reports had
it that the soldiers attempted to hijack the
distribution of the rice, which met with stiff
resistance from the policemen on duty, and
thus sparked the shootout that injured a
policeman.
We commend the Borno State Government
for the prompt steps it took to nip both acts
of brigandage in the bud. The Army also
acted with dispatch and ensured that the
few rogue soldiers who instigated the
violence were apprehended for disciplinary
action.
It is saddening that food meant for the care
of people displaced from their communities
is now being targeted by criminal-minded
government officials and a few misguided
soldiers who see it as another government
bonanza to grab by hook or crook.
Unfortunately, the noble intention to include
refugees who live outside the IDP camps in
the distribution of the food items was
misconstrued as an opportunity for-a free
for-all attitude to the relief materials.
We urge the state government and the
military authorities to make an example of
those found culpable in these crimes to
serve as an example to others with the
same intention that such inhuman behaviour
cannot be tolerated.
There have been many reports of severe
malnutrition among the IDPs (especially
those living inside the Camps) consequent
upon poor quality of food. With millions of
mouths to feed at least twice a day, the
Borno State Government is bearing a burden
that only requires collective efforts to assist
the victims to survive.
Those of us who are more fortunate should
extend our hands of charity and love to
those in need as no one knows when it
might be his or her turn to need the help of
other kind-hearted people.
We hope and pray for the speedy end of the
Boko Haram war so that IDPs can go back
to their communities and resume their
livelihood – with human dignity.