The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, announced the imminent closure of Muna refugee camp, the largest displacement center in northeastern Nigeria, housing over 10,000 families. The decision follows previous shutdowns of 17 camps since 2021, part of a broader effort to reduce dependency on humanitarian aid in the region.

The closure had been postponed due to floods that struck Borno in September 2024, but Governor Zulum now cites rising crime rates in the camp as the urgent reason for action.

For more than 15 years, refugee camps in Maiduguri have sheltered over 80% of the two million people displaced by the violent insurgency waged by Boko Haram. With humanitarian aid dwindling, displaced families now face uncertain futures. Authorities have allocated between €20 and €50 to refugees to assist their relocation—either back to their hometowns or designated safe zones.

Despite government assurances, human rights organizations remain critical of the forced camp closures, arguing they are deepening vulnerability rather than providing lasting solutions.

“The Borno State government is harming hundreds of thousands of displaced people already living in precarious conditions to advance a dubious government development agenda,” said Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch in an earlier statement.

With a surge in violence across northeastern Nigeria, including two jihadist attacks that killed nearly 50 people in late April, the humanitarian crisis shows no signs of easing.

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