Abstract

Force displacement is a daunting challenge facing the international community as a result of disaster, armed conflicts, insurgency and communal tension. In the same vein, Nigeria has been experiencing the problem of internal displacement as a result of Boko Haram insurgency and kidnapping. More than two million Nigerians have been displaced. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) differ from refugees, though they have similar characteristics. The sources of displacement of refugees and IDPs may be the same and requires equal treatment. However, IDPs have been excluded under the protection of International Refugee Law. This is because IDPs do not cross international borders and therefore they should be under the protection of their national government. Sometimes the national authorities are behind the reasons for their displacement or unable to protect them. This is one of the reasons IDPs have been experiencing neglect and inadequate protection. Accordingly, Nigerian IDPs have not been adequately protected, as there is no national or international legal frameworks that have directly addressed the plight of IDPs. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to assess the legal frameworks for the protection of IDPs in Nigeria. The researcher adopted a doctrinal method. It was found that Nigerian policy on IDPs is not effective as it has not been domesticated/implemented and finally recommended that there shall be a legally binding instrument specifically dealing with IDPs in Nigeria.