TheCable

The Children’s Government of Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, has called on the federal and state governments to close internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in the north-east.

Patrick Ikpeme, its national coordinator, made the call in Minna, during a courtesy visit to the Niger State Development Company.

According to NAN,  Ikpeme said the camps should be closed down “immediately”, claiming they had a negative effect on women and children.

“Many of the women in the camps live irresponsible lives with nobody to check them; if they return to their various communities, they will be more careful,” he said.

“The children also live carefree lives due to the absence of parents or guardians. They are denied even basic means of livelihood. When they get desperate, they can jump into bad things.”

Ikpeme also spoke on the need for government to resettle the IDPs back to their various communities so that they can restart their lives with communal support.

He said the visit was to drum up support for children affected by insurgency, and called on wealthy Nigerians to initiate measures to support them.

Muhammad Kure, managing director of the company, had earlier pledged support for the NGO.