Socio-Economic Impacts of Insurgency on Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) in Borno State, Nigeria: Implications for Counselling

The study was a correlation survey that identified the socio-economic impacts of insurgency and determined the relationships between unemployment, politics, poverty and insurgency in Borno State, Nigeria. Target population of the study comprised of all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their government designated camps in Borno State. However, 340 IDPs were used as samples for the study. Volunteer sampling technique was adopted in picking the subjects. Researchers’ authored Structured Interview Schedule (S.I.S) was the instrument used in collecting data for the study. The instrument had a validity index of .74 and reliability coefficient of .86 which was adjudged adequate for the study. One research question and three null-hypotheses guided the study. Statistical techniques of frequency counts, percentages and ranking were adopted in answering the research question while Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient (f) was employed in testing the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. Findings of the study revealed depopulation, loss of properties, psychological trauma, agricultural trouncing and social disintegration as some of the socio-economic impacts of the insurgency in Borno State. None of the null-hypotheses was upheld as there were significant relationships between unemployment, politics, poverty and insurgency in the study area. Based on findings of the study, prompt and positive interventions by the government at all levels, inter and intra national organizations, religious and community leaders, national directorate of employment and the private sectors of the economy towards engaging the victims in vocational and other entrepreneurial skills were some of the counselling implications proffered.