Violent Conflict and the Plight of Vulnerable Women and Children in Plateau State

Abstract

Internal displacement is common across Nigeria due to frequent conflicts. While some of the conflicts appear to be caused by overlapping and mutually reinforcing regional, religious and ethnic divisions, others often stem from competition for scarce opportunities and communal resources. Current levels of displacement are deemed particularly high by a number of organisations, but in the absence of a functioning monitoring mechanism, no accurate figures are available. Ad-hoc local registration exercises have hinted at the scale of the phenomenon, but those who seek shelter and support from family and friends - and who make up the majority of internally displaced people (IDPs)-tend not to be counted. The government has not yet adopted a national IDPs policy, leaving national and international agencies to assist IDPs in an uncoordinated way and on a sometimes selective basis. This paper examines the situation of displaced women and children as a vulnerable social category, particularly the displaced women and children within Zang Secondary School displaced Camp in Bukuru, Jos south L.G.A. of Plateau State. The study argues that the various attacks experienced by these people have engendered massive internally displaced women and children and have derailed the process of development. Therefore, the study recommends good governance as a panacea.