Attacks: Benue records 18,000 IDPs in one month

Fom Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Government has said it recorded over 18,000 displacement of people in one month, as a result of increased attacks in the state.
The Executive Secretary State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Emmanuel Shior, disclosed this yesterday, while speaking with Journalists in Makurdi, during the distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
He noted that in Otukpo, there are 8,000 IDPs, who are camped in Adoka, while 10,000 others are in Apa taken refuge in Ugbokpo, the local government headquarters.
According to him, over 60 persons have been killed in attacks on Omugidi, Otukpo and Apa local government areas.
“Benue has continued to be under siege for a long time. Recent killings in Benue State has added burden of taking care of the IDPs.
“We continue to appeal to Federal Governemt through National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the National Commission for Refugee, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons’, NCRMIP and other partners who are already here assisting us to come to our aid as our humanitarian crisis has not lessened.
“They should do more to increase their support. The FG 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”, Shior passionately appealed.
Some of the items distributed include: 3,500 bags of rice, 800 bags of beans (100kg),10,000 carton of indomie,1,800 bags of garri 600 bags of salt 600 cartons of Maggie and 10,000 tubers of yams redpectively.