Security Concerns of Internal Displacement: A Case Study of Non-Camp Setting in Kwara State
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Date
2023-12
Authors
Mbombo. J.M.K.
Shittu, O.M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria
Abstract
Internal displacement forces displaced persons to seek refuge in territories that are
considered to be safer, including outside officially designated camps. This
development brings up security concerns for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and
host communications, thus increasing the likelihood of conflict. This paper set out to
unveil the existence of IDPs in non-camp settings (NCS) in Kwara State, examine the
security implications associated with their covert presence, and evaluate the strategies
put in place by the State Government to address them. The study adopted a mixed
method approach, in which 200 copies of a questionnaire were distributed to local
participants in selected towns, out of which 188 copies were retrieved. A snowball
technique was used to identify unregisteredIDPs while a purposive sampling technique
was useful in the selection of key informants for interviews.The study found thatthe
securityimplications of hosting IDPs were numerous: feelings of insecurity,a threat to
physical and mental health, a threat to life, vulnerability to harassment; increasing
demographic imbalance, and condescending attitude of the host population among
others.The study concluded that a high level of impoverishment in NCS threatens
human security for the host population, as well as for IDPs,specifically, personal,
community, economic and environmental security. The study recommended that the
Kwara State Government should synergize with relevant stakeholders and the local
communities, to identify and profile all victims of internal displacement for an effective
response to security challenges.
Description
Keywords
Security, Internal Displacement, Non-camp Setting and Host Community, Kwara
Citation
Dr Mbombo J.M.K. is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin.