Meet 2025 AMDF Journalist Of The Year (Online Category) HAMZA IBRAHIM

Citation: Hamza Ibrahim Abaja is a full-time investigative journalist with Sahara Reporters, working towards educating and enlightening the public on societal issues by investigating governance and proffering solutions through writing.
A holder of a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Hamza Abaja is passionate about child rights, education, rural and community development, culture, and social justice.
Equipped with strong research and in-depth reporting skills, he served as Correspondent for TransContinental Times, Madrid, Spain (2021–2022) and Deputy Editor of News Breed Online Newspaper.
What makes Hamza Ibrahim Abaja stand tall today is his investigative story titled “Sex for Food: Hunger Fuels Exploitation of Female IDPs in Niger State.”
The story was driven by worsening humanitarian conditions in parts of Niger State affected by banditry and displacement. Thousands of families forced to flee their homes, have been living in overcrowded camps where food and relief materials are scarce.
Prolonged insecurity, poor government response, and dwindling humanitarian aid created a deep hunger crisis among internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Hamza’s findings revealed that this extreme deprivation exposed women and young girls to exploitation by camp officials who controlled food distribution.
A 22-year-old pregnant girl taking refuge in Kuta IDP Camp after bandits displaced her family narrated her ordeal.
She told the reporter that a camp official began to show curious generosity to her and her distressed parents, eventually resulting in her being impregnated by the official.
Her story was one of many difficult decisions displaced young women in IDP camps are forced to make due to emotional, social, and economic pressures.
The reporter also gathered cases of a mother and daughter being impregnated at the camp, as well as the suspension of an official from all camp-related activities.
Some IDPs said that during hunger crises, they slept on empty stomachs with no hope for the next day, or were forced to succumb to sexual demands from officials because they had no other option.
It was also confirmed that many IDPs were forced to leave the camp to cater for themselves because government aid was no longer forthcoming, while aid from individual philanthropists was insufficient.
The Niger State government, which confirmed the pregnancy allegation and took follow-up action, reiterated its commitment to IDP welfare and justice for victims.
From the foregoing, Hamza Ibrahim Abaja, the AMDF lauds your professional skills in exposing these ugly happenings at IDP camps, and you are acknowledged as the Winner of the 2025 AMDF Journalist of the Year (Online Category). Congratulations.