Photo Essay: Life in Northeast Nigeria Askira Uba LGA

In December 2015, Navanti conducted food security research in Chibok, and other northeastern Nigerian villages and towns still recovering from recent Boko Haram control. Many of these communities have suffered significant displacement and disruption to their livelihoods. Some watched while Boko Haram burned and stole their crops, others had to let their crops rot in the fields while they were hiding for safety.

Although their communities are no longer under Boko Haram control, the threat of attacks remains, and the zone is heavily militarized, meaning that fear and security controls keep markets closed or empty. High prices of fuel due to an ongoing shortage has led people to forego vehicular transportation in favor of walking or bicycling to their destinations.

In the midst of uncertainty, residents have adapted to these conditions and continue to live their lives in what has become the new “normal”, hoping for days ahead where crops and security will return to sufficient levels.