Yobe lost N15.8 billion to Boko Haram insurgency

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, yesterday said his government has lost over N15.8 billion to Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to the displacement of 305,499 persons (IDPs) from their communities in 12 council areas of the state.

The six-year insurgency, according to him, has also seen the destruction of 1,098 public buildings and other infrastructural facilities in the health and education sectors.

Ibrahim disclosed this yesterday when the Federal Government
Inter-Ministerial Committee (FG-IMC) paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Damaturu.

He said besides the displacement of people and destruction of property, the insurgency has also led to the loss of thousands of innocent lives through gunshots, bombings and suicide attacks in the affected communities.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu further disclosed that N13.7 billion was also spent on procurement of patrol vehicles, military and other security personnel allowances and treatment of victims attacked by Boko Haram insurgents in hospitals.

His words: “This six-year insurgency, which became intensified in 2011 to date has created 3,402 IDPs in two official camps and a total of 22,097 in other camps; while a total of over 280,000 people are currently living as refugees in different communities in Borno and other neighbouring states of Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano among others.”

He said the activities of the insurgents spread to 12 of the 17 council areas where 1,098 public buildings and facilities were destroyed, including private structures and assets belonging to 24,000 individuals and other IDPs.

He continued: “The state government, as intervention measures committed the sum of N13.7 billion through payments of allowances to security operatives, procurement of vehicles, among other logistics, while medical assistance to the victims of insurgency as well as provision of relief materials brings government’s cumulative expenses to N15.8 billion.”

He, however, commended the efforts of security personnel and the commitment of the Buhari administration towards ending Boko Haram insurgency, which has claimed many lives and property in the state and the North East.

“With the total liberation of the state in the hands of the insurgents, the greatest task before this Federal Government inter-ministerial committee and other collaborative partners as well as other stakeholders; are the resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected communities in 12 councils,” Aliyu said.

He said before the IDPs and communities are resettled and rehabilitated, there is urgent need for provision of adequate security, clearing the areas of landmines and the remnants of the insurgents, including assuring their sources of livelihood.

Chairperson of the committee, Prof. Nana Tanko, appreciated the efforts of the state government.

She also commended the security forces and the combined efforts of the ministries of Defence and Interior on their focus on ensuring civil authority is restored in the liberated communities.

Prof. Nana appealed to the IDPs to be patient with the committee towards their resettlement and rehabilitation, stressing that the process of rebuilding could take a longer time.