AN APPRAISAL OF THE MANAGEMENT OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) IN BENUE STATE, NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA, 2015-2022

Abstract

The paper appraised the management of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue state of north-central Nigeria from 2015 to 2022. The paper specifically sought to ascertain the causes of internal displacement of persons in Benue state, identify the challenges facing the government in its efforts to manage IDPs, and recommend possible ways of overcoming the challenges of managing IDPs in the state. To achieve these objectives, the paper adopts the eclectic approach anchored on Emergency Management Theory and Human Security Theory. The paper generated data using primary method through questionnaire and secondary method through books, journals and internet materials. Three Local Government Areas (LGAs), namely Agatu, Kwande and Makurdi were selected using purposive sampling technique while the exact sample size of 384 respondents was determined using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table. Data generated from the field survey were presented in tables and descriptively analyzed. The paper found that the growing number of IDPs in the state is as a result of the incessant violent conflicts between nomadic cattle herders and sedentary crop farmers. The paper equally found that government’s efforts in managing IDPs have not produced the desired results because of inadequate funding and diversion of relief materials meant for IDPs by some corrupt government officials. The paper recommends that government should increase its funding of the IDPs and also ensure that distribution of relief materials meant for the IDPs are properly monitored to guard against diversion by corrupt government officials.