FROM HOME TO HOMELESSNESS: IMPASSE SITUATION OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN SOUTHERN KADUNA, 1999-2022

The security situation today in the world is as deadly as it is in Nigeria, Kaduna State, and particularly the southern part of Kaduna State. In one of his books, Yusuf Turaki espoused that the area (Southern Kaduna) is inhabited by a group of people known as the Non-Muslim Groups (NMG) and characterised by different ethnic groups numbering over thirty (30) with a distinct c ulture. The rate of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Southern Kaduna is highly alarming because of the violent attacks perpetrated by insurgency, terrorism farmers/herders clash, and Fulani attacks (unknown gun men). The main aim of this study is to examine the impasse situation faced by IDPs in Southern Kaduna with the following specific objectives: to examine the nature and prevailing conditions in the IDP camps, to ascertain how the IDPs are coping with the condition they found themselves, to assess the impact of the prevailing conditions of the IDPs specifically on the aged, children, and women who are considered to be more vulnerable, to evaluate the impacts of the displacements on the affected communities of Southern Kaduna, and to discuss the response by the state and non-state actors to the challenges that elude the IDPs. The study will help policymakers at all levels understand the impasse situations faced by IDPs in Southern Kaduna as homeless individuals. In carrying out this study, the multi-disciplinary approach will be adopted to enhance and enrich the quality of this study and to provide a platform for cross-examination of ideas to come up with a coherent and acceptable outcome. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources of information, all of which were objective and subjected to descriptive analysis. The findings show that the IDPs are faced with the challenges of starvation, joblessness, insecurity, lack of food and good drinking water, overcrowding and poor sanitation, hunger, electricity, accommodation shortages, and lack of sustainable occupation, all of which represent serious human security threats for the country