No fewer than 18,000 locals were forcefully displaced from their settlements following the waves of attacks on some communities in Benue State.
The Executive Secretary of State Emergency and Management Agency (SEMA), Emmanuel Shior, disclosed this on Tuesday during the distribution of relief materials to some internally displaced persons in the state, the Punch reports. Items distributed include 3500 bags of rice, 800 bags of beans (100kg),10000 cartons of noodles,1800 bags of garri, 600 bags of salt, 600 cartons of Maggie and 10000 tubers of yams.
Banditry attacks in some communities in Apa, Otukpo and Guma local government areas became intense between April 5 and 9, leading to the death of 135 locals.
According to the SEMA boss, 8,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were recorded and camped in Adoka, Otukpo LGA, 10,000 others are in Apa taking refuge in Ugbokpo, the local government headquarter.
“Benue has continued to be under siege for a long time. Recent killings in Benue State have added the burden of taking care of the IDPs.
“For instance, 8,000 people are currently camped in Adoka in Otukpo local government and another 10,000 people taking refuge in Ugbokpo, headquarters of Apa LGA,” he said.
Shior appealed to the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency, the National Commission for Refugee, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and other partners who he said were already assisting the state to further help in lessening the state’s burden.
“They should do more to increase their support. Federal government should do more to support the State to put in place plans to return the IDPs as they are tired of staying in camps and in the host communities for over 5 years. Spirited individuals should also help us”, he appealed.
