From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Over 5,000 unprofiled internally displaced persons, IDPs have been discovered in Makurdi, Benue State capital city.
Our correspondent who visited the camp located at Tse -Yandev close to the Federal Housing Estate in North Bank, yesterday, reports that the IDPs are residing in very sordid condition as they are staying in shanties made of Palm tree branches while women used their wrappers as curtain.
It was also, observed that they constructed local bathrooms made of Palm tree branches, lack toilets facilities and as such, they carry out open defecation.
One of the displaced persons Mrs. Ukuma Jooji who said she hails from Kasevo council ward in Guma local government area, home country of Governor Samuel Ortom, intimated that they have been there since December 2020.
According to her, she was displaced after an attack by suspected herdsmen on his community during which she lost her son, lamenting that they have been completely neglected by the State Government.
Chairman of the camp John Azenda said they have been displaced since 2018 without attention given to them by the State government, adding that they moved to the new location on December 10th 2020 after been evicted from a makeshift camp located near 72 Army battalion in North Bank.
“The Makurdi local government area chairman Tony Idyege told us that he wanted to build a market and he asked us to leave. He told us to move over to this place. I am from Uvir council ward in Gums local government area and have found it difficult to resettle as my village and even compounds has remained completely deserted.
“We are over 847 households,1000 children, 10 elderly persons. We have not been given any relief material(s) by the State Emergency Relief Agency even during the last Christmas and New Year festivities. Some individuals came around and gave some materials.There is no water or any amenities. But thank God we have not recorded any outbreak of illness or death”,John said.
When contacted the Executive Secretary State Emergency Relief Agency Emmanuel Shior said the State government intend to collaborate with ActionAid as well as Doctors Without Borders to provide shelter and water for the displaced persons.
