What's next for Nigeria's internally displaced people

A recent bombing at an IDP camp in northeastern Nigeria has highlighted the security and safety concerns faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country. The Nigerian military has stated that the bombing was an accident and is currently investigating the incident. The camp was reportedly sheltering around 43,000 internally displaced people, making it a significant target. To discuss the issues surrounding displaced persons in northern Nigeria, CNBC Africa hosted a panel discussion with Femi Owolabi, a freelance journalist, Frank Oyorhigho, Managing Director of Primex Background Check, and Mukhtar Dan'yan, a Policy and Security Expert based in Los Angeles. The panel explored the challenges and possible reasons behind the tragic incident. Each panelist provided valuable insights into the situation and suggested ways to improve security measures for IDP camps in Nigeria. Femi Owolabi emphasized the importance of the ongoing investigation and urged patience in awaiting the results. He dismissed claims of deliberate action by the military and highlighted the long-standing protection provided by the soldiers to the displaced persons. Frank Oyorhigho raised concerns about the lack of coordination among the military and emphasized the need for improved security measures and information sharing within the agencies. He pointed out that the incident could have been avoided with better communication and verification procedures in place. Mukhtar Dan'yan highlighted the issue of interagency competition and lack of cooperation among security agencies, leading to duplication of functions and information gaps. He stressed the importance of intelligence services overseeing IDP camps and called for better coordination and collaboration between the agencies. The panel also discussed the challenges of discovering and monitoring IDP camps, with Femi Owolabi sharing insights from his reporting in the region. He mentioned the scattered groups of internally displaced persons across different locations and the need for proactive measures to identify and protect them. Frank Oyorhigho echoed the need for a dedicated body to monitor and report new IDP camps to ensure timely intervention and security measures. Mukhtar Dan'yan pointed out the prevalence of IDP camps in major cities like Maiduguri and the lack of awareness and control over the situation. He emphasized the urgent need to address the underperformance of emergency management services and improve overall coordination and response mechanisms. The panel concluded with concerns about the growing security risks faced by IDPs and the impact of inadequate security measures and coordination on their safety and well-being. The need for enhanced security protocols, information sharing, and proactive monitoring of IDP camps was emphasized as crucial to preventing future incidents and ensuring the protection of internally displaced persons in Nigeria.