Nigerians have become refugees in their own country, CJN cries out

 
ABUJA – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, Monday, identified good governance and respect for the fundamental rights of citizenry as stipulated in the constitution as a panacea for peace and security stability in the country.
Addressing Judges and Kadis at the opening ceremony of a 5-days workshop on refugee law holding at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in Abuja, the CJN, said it was unfortunate that most Nigerians have become refugees in their own country, decrying that, “These  people are forced to flee their homes, ancestral places of abode and places of business due to no fault of theirs.”

She said: “Now, the internally displaced persons are often referred to as Refugees in their own country. In the time past, internal displacement was an uncommon phenomenon especially in Nigeria. Unfortunately, this hitherto uncommon phenomenon has become a common phenomenon almost across Nigeria.
“This has been caused by diverse inter-communal, political and religious violence; forced evictions and recently, flooding. The devastating effects of flood across the country are certainly still being felt in some quarters.
“It is important for us all to bear in mind that all these pose great challenges and call for humanitarian actions on the part of all and sundry…. and attending to humanitarian needs is not a cheap venture.

“My lords, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, while it is imperative to address the needs and welfare of these vulnerable groups, my view is that it is better to avoid, as much as possible, those situations and circumstances that precipitate internal displacement and refugee crisis.
“This is an arena where the political class must be up and doing and I hold the view that good governance, respect for the fundamental rights of citizenry  as stipulated in the Constitution and strict obedience to the rule of law will promote peace rather than internal displacement and refugee crisis,” she added.
The CJN further noted that internal conflicts and political crisis in West African sub region coupled with the current military operations in Mali, have engendered human movements from troubled spots to Nigeria.