The federal government has promised to resettle over 22,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered in various communities of Niger.

Betta Edu, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, disclosed this during the presentation of starter packs to some of the IDPs at the Gwada camp, Shiroro, on Friday.

Mrs Edu decried how banditry and terrorism had led to the closure of over 400 schools, resulting in over 11,000 out-of-school children in the state, insisting that the situation was unacceptable to government.

According to her, the federal government had put in place stringent measures to end banditry, terrorism and other forms of security challenges in the country.

“The President said I should tell you all that hope has come and that he will provide durable solutions to all the things that are bothering us.

“We have seen a couple of things, especially regarding your poor living conditions.

“That is why he has sent us to come and assess the situation on the ground and ensure that we intervene to change things for the better.

“We are considering resettling all the IDPs here because of the insecurity in their various places, so resettling them in Shiroro will be better for now.

“We will provide a resettlement city where everyone who is displaced can live so that you can be safe and your children can also go back to school,” she said.

The minister, who lamented the spate of out-of-school children in the state, insisted that education was fundamental to addressing poverty and other vices in society.

She added that government had initiated sustainable plans that would ensure security of lives and property in all communities across the state.

Mrs Edu said that 435 IDPs in the state had benefitted from the N-Skill programme, adding that starter packs would be presented to them alongside some palliatives to cushion their current hardship.

She added that government plans to expand its social register to accommodate and capture the IDPs in its various social interventions.

Earlier, Ahmed Suleiman, Niger commissioner for humanitarian affairs and disaster management, said that the state currently has 22,071 IDPs scattered in various communities.

Mr Suleiman, who decried the spate of insecurity in the state, said that the situation had forced over 90 per cent of the people to abandon farming for fear of being attacked in their farms.

He explained that residents in eleven out of the 25 local government areas of the state were currently displaced due to insecurity.

“The state government is now faced with the challenge of providing all necessary amenities and food, aside from the huge funds allocated to fighting insecurity.

“Our educational institutions, especially primary and secondary schools which serve as temporary shelter for the displaced persons are now overstretched and our children’s academic journies are being disrupted.

“IDPs in the various camps in Kontagora, Mariga, Mashegu, Rijau, Rafi, Mokwa, and Munya lack shelter and other critical social amenities such as portable drinking water, medical facilities, toilet facilities, and conducive learning environment,” he said.

The commissioner, however, thanked the federal government for its support to the IDPs and urged it to do more toward addressing the spate of insecurity in the state.

(NAN)