A Christian missionary organisation, Afri-mission and Evangelical Network, has provided rented accommodation for 72 internally displaced families in Abuja as part of efforts to support victims of insecurity and religious persecution across northern Nigeria.
The outreach programme, held in Abuja on Sunday under the Rental Housing Support Programme, was organised by World Outreach Ministries International in partnership with Ignited Church Lavonia, Georgia, United States. The initiative targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom had been living in uncompleted buildings and on the streets in parts of Abuja and Nasarawa State.
During the event, beneficiaries received housing documents and financial support aimed at helping them transition into more stable living conditions and begin rebuilding their lives.
Organisers explained that the programme was designed not only to move vulnerable families off the streets but also to equip them with practical skills that would help them achieve long-term self-reliance.
Speaking at the event, Josephine Amaechina, Senior Pastor of Antioch Christian Centre and Director of Humanitarian Services at Afri-mission, described the beneficiaries as the first batch of recipients under a programme expected to continue as funding becomes available.
She said many of the beneficiaries had endured severe hardship after being displaced from their communities due to insecurity and violence.
“To all the 72 families who are beneficiaries of this first batch, congratulations,” she said. “Many of you lost homes, livelihoods and loved ones and were forced to flee your communities. We encourage you to remain steadfast.”
Amaechina disclosed that additional interventions were being planned, including skills acquisition programmes and educational support for displaced children.
According to her, the organisation is working toward enrolling at least 200 out-of-school children from displaced families back into school by September 2026.
She also announced plans for financial empowerment through micro-loan programmes designed to support small businesses and improve household incomes.
“Our goal is holistic intervention. We want to support not just housing needs, but education, economic empowerment, discipleship and mental wellbeing,” she said.
The organisation also revealed that beneficiaries would receive vocational training in areas such as tailoring, catering, cosmetology, ICT, shoe making, bead production, bag making and adult literacy.
President of the network, Oscar Amaechina, described the housing intervention as only the beginning of broader efforts aimed at helping displaced persons recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.
According to him, the idea began as a faith-driven vision to assist people living under difficult conditions, even before funding became available.
“We visited communities and saw people living inside abandoned and uncompleted buildings. Some had nowhere else to go,” he said.
He recalled encounters with displaced families living under harsh conditions in communities including Sabon Gari, Ruga Madaki and Jikwoyi, where insecurity had forced many residents into makeshift shelters.
Amaechina said some of the rented apartments cost as much as ₦1.1 million, stressing that the intervention was motivated by compassion and a desire to provide dignity to vulnerable people.
“We are not doing this because we know them personally. It is driven by the love of Christ and the desire to become a solution to people’s suffering,” he said.
Some beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the support.
One of them, Andrew Iorfa, thanked the organisers for helping his family move off the streets.
“We are grateful for putting smiles on our faces and giving us hope again,” he said.
