The displaced are starting to return to their homes in the northeast of Nigeria after the army mounted a massive operation to drive away Boko Haram
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The displaced are starting to return to their homes in the northeast of Nigeria after the army mounted a massive operation to drive away Boko Haram Islamist militants.
However, there are warnings of severe food shortages for the returning residents, with infrastructure in a terrible state after months of conflict.
One resident in the town of Michika told reporters: “Things are not back to normal yet, it’s very difficult. Before we had peace and we had roads, but now there is no road. The bridges have been destroyed.
“Yesterday the traders brought goods to the market, but even if we buy something there is no road to take it home. The bridges are broken and there aren’t enough people buying the goods. The goods are then taken to another town. We’re really suffering.”
An estimated 1.5 million people became displaced when Boko Haram seized large parts of Nigeria’s northeast last year, killing thousands of people and carrying out mass kidnappings.
Most of Borno state was taken over, as well as parts of the state of Adamawa.
However, the army has managed to push the militants back to a large forest reserve, which is now considered to be their last bastion, and where a military offensive is ongoing.