ICC Note: Thousands of people displaced by Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria are reportedly dying of malnutrition in camps as Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari meets with humanitarian officials to seek an explanation. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) recently released a statement declaring the situation in the IDP camps an emergency because of the death rate – approximately 30 people per day, primarily children. Nigerian Christians make up a vast majority of IDPs from Boko Haram and Christian leaders in northeast Nigeria regularly report that humanitarian aid fails to reach their communities as Muslim governing authorities in the affected states continue to preference Islamic victims.

By Abdulkareem Haruna

06/28/2016, Borno, Nigeria (Premium Times) – There has been panic among Borno officials ahead of a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

Officials of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, on Sunday boarded a flight that left Maiduguri ahead of the meeting with the president at the Aso Rock villa.

Mr. Buhari is said to be angry at reports that persons displaced by the Boko Haram, who are currently seeking refuge at government owned camps, have been dying of malnutrition. This is despite the billions of naira and materials provided by the federal government, state governments, non-governmental organisations and private individuals to assist the displaced persons.

The president is expected to seek explanations especially following the recent statement and photographs released by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) showing malnourished persons in the camps.

Last week, the MSF issued a statement saying some 24,000 IDPs are in dire health situation with at least 30 people – mostly children – dying every day.

Two weeks ago, the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, paid a visit to Bama camp upon receiving reports that hundreds of malnourished persons recently rescued from Boko Haram captivity were dying in a camp in Bama, 75km from Maiduguri, the state capital.

Governor Shettima ordered the relocation of 61 children with acute condition of malnutrition to the intensive care unit of the Umaru Shehu Ultramodern Hospital in Maiduguri where they are currently being attended to.

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