Reps vow to unravel rampant rape in IDP camps

By Christiana Ekpa and Umar Muhammad Puma

The House of Representatives yesterday vowed to unravel rampant cases of raping across Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in the country
This was even as the House mandated its committee on IDPs, Refugees and Initiative on North East to investigate the cases of rape,teenage pregnancy, extortion and stealing of relief materials in across the IDPs camp in Nigeria.
The resolution of the House followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Hassan Saleh (APC Benue) on the “need to investigate the untoward activities going on in the various Internally Displaced Persons IDPs camp in Nigeria” presided over by the Speaker of the House, YakubuDogara.
Presenting the motion, Saleh, said the effort of the government concerning the care and protection of the IDPs is not enough, hence the need for government to do more to protect the victims.
“Notes with concern the publication in the Nation Newspaper of December 17, 2017 on how the IDPs in Nigeria are poorly managed
“Further notes that there are several IDP camps all over the country due to the continuous invasion by Boko Haram which has led to displacement of many innocent citizens from their communities” he said
According to him, a lot of stories in national dailies including New York Times of the harrowing experience of rape committed against women and girls by men in the camps, especially those who are supposed to protect them.
“Further worried that the stories are the same in all the camps across the country namely: rape,sex for food and materials, rampant pregnancy and abandonment of young mothers and their children. There are also cases of pilfering of relief materials and extortion ravaging the camps,” He explained.
The House, however, asked the committee to report back within 8 weeks.