Boko Haram: IDPs accuse leaders of selling donated gifts

Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the New Kuchingworo IDP camp, Abuja Sunday accused their leaders of selling some of the items donated to them by well meaning Nigerians and corporate organizations.

The accusation was made when members of Advertising Practitioners Association Abuja Chapter (APAAC) visited the camp to make donations.

One of the IDPs, confirmed the allegation as an ongoing practice in the camp by those in charge of the camp.

According to him, the leaders, especially from the Gwoza camp usually take the advantage of the far distance of IDPs in the Bauchi camp and other far away camps to hoard their share of the donations and sell them to food sellers and sometimes to the real owners when they are faced with food scarcity.

His words: ‘‘It is true that most of the donations made to us are not getting to us. They sell some of the gift items to people. What the leaders do is that they sell some to the food items to food sellers and those that care to buy. Some IDPs too, sell theirs after collecting their share when they need money.’’

Other IDPs also confirmed the allegation and called on government to address their plight without further delay.

Earlier in their presentation, the Coordinator of APAAC, Mr. Chris Tion, said the their visit was informed by the impact of the reoccurring attacks by the insurgents across the country, with a view to lessen the pain and agony of the IDPs in various camps in the country.

‘‘The recent attacks by the insurgents have resulted into having a lot of IDPs in various camps across the country.

‘‘As a responsible organization, we felt that it is nice we show concern to these IDPs, especially these camps in Abuja, which government does not recognize officially. We felt that we should reach out to them and give them some relief.’’

APAAC donated food items, clothes and shoes among others.

The group also had a good support from Tommy Tommy Food Industries, Nnewi, with lots of Eastern Noodles.

In her commendation remarks, the representative of NEMA, Mrs. Chinwe Opara applauded APAAC for the visit and urged other corporate organizations to emulate APAAC.