The Untold Stories of Nigerian IDPs: ‘Silent Cries’ Documentary by Farouk Muhammed
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The Untold Stories of Nigerian IDPs: ‘Silent Cries’ Documentary by Farouk Muhammed
A new documentary, “Silent Cries: Unveiling Hidden Lives,” produced by young Nigerian Farouk Muhammed, sheds light on the dire living conditions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
The film portrays the harsh realities faced by Nigerians who once led normal lives but were forced into hardship by attacks from bandits and Boko Haram. Muhammed, an undergraduate from Bingham University and son of the Nigeria Archery Federation President Mohammed Baba Abdullahi, visited an IDP camp to present a story often overlooked by the government.
The documentary reveals the severe lack of basic amenities in the camp, highlighting the absence of schools for children who spend their days playing without any educational structure. Through interviews with several IDPs, the film paints a vivid picture of their struggles.
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Idris Halilu, the camp coordinator and a leading advocate for IDP rights in Nigeria, described the critical situation: “The story is unpalatable, it’s such a sad story. The living condition is critical. Honestly, life has not been easy for us. Ninety-five percent of what I eat, what IDPs eat, comes from individuals, foundations, and NGOs. Government intervention is just 2 percent, whereas they should be shouldering it 100 percent.”
Mallam Ahmed, an escapee from Boko Haram, shared his harrowing experience: “In Gwoza, I was a businessman selling bikes and also rearing cattle. I was a farmer when terrorists came to our town. They looked for boys who were 13 years and older and killed them. I left the town with no shoes on my feet. I hid under a bed before escaping. It was one of the women, forced to marry a terrorist, who saved me. I hid for six days without food and water before finally escaping.”
Adaza Haruna, a resident from Borno state, has spent about nine years in the camp. She lamented their greatest challenge: “Food is very difficult to get. Some people have mattresses, while others don’t. Those without mattresses lay on plastic sheets. My husband is sick from sleeping on the floor. I have five kids, but only three are alive. The cold affects my husband severely, and some nights he cries the entire night.”
Leyatu Ayuba, the women’s leader at the camp, runs a roadside restaurant. She recounted losing her husband and son to terrorists but expressed gratitude to NGOs and good-spirited individuals who have aided the camp.
Despite these overwhelming challenges, the documentary ends on a hopeful note, showing that the IDPs still find moments of joy and reasons to smile amid their hardships.
