Flood-hit IDPs in Maiduguri face camp eviction

At the ''Teachers' Village Camp'' for the Internally displaced persons (IDP) in Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri, relief efforts are underway, with bags of rice and cartons of pasta being distributed to families affected by the devastating floods.

However, the displaced people say a harsh condition has been attached; recipients must vacate the camp immediately, as mandated by the Borno state government.

But for these displaced individuals, leaving the camp poses a daunting challenge.

Some communities are still flooded, and even in areas where flood waters have receded, their homes lie in ruins, destroyed by the powerful currents of the flood.

Isa Musa, a flood survivor who has been in the camp for over a week, must now leave after receiving his relief food.

Although Musa's home is in one of the communities where the floods have receded, rubble and mud now fill his family compound.

His family home, housing about 20 people including his wife, his 2 children, his parents, step-mother, siblings and some extended family members, now lie in ruins. 

The floods in Maiduguri started on September 10, after a dam burst its walls following heavy rainfall, and affecting over a million people.

Musa, is anxiously awaiting the government's assessment of the damage to his home.

The evaluation will determine the level of aid his household will receive from the government.

In a recent press conference, Abdulrahman Ahmed Bundi, special assistant to Borno state government on new media, addressed concerns about camp closures.

He clarified that the government announced a voluntary return for those who feel it's safe, while others can continue to stay.

However, he added that a phased closure of the camps will begin soon to allow academic activities to return to normal.