Continue to support the collective efforts of the Agency to bring relief, dignity and eventual resettlement to the displaced population
By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, has disclosed that about 18,592 individuals are currently displaced only in Gwer- West Local Government Area of the state following renewed onslaughts on different communities of the state by armed herdsmen.
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr James Iorpuu who made the disclosure to journalists during this month distribution of food and non-food items to IDPs across the state, held at BSEMA headquarters, Thursday, in Makurdi, said a new IDP camp hosting 8,650- women, 4,147- men, 5,795-children, 325- pregnant women, 637- breast feeding mothers, 2,315-persons with disabilities and 571- elderly persons have been opened at NKST Primary School and Calvin Foundation College all in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-West Local Government Area.
Iorpuu, also the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, represented by Dr Donald Komgbenda, Director of Administration at the Agency told journalists during the briefing that the distribution exercise which had commenced on Monday at Mbayongo mega camp and Apa, is part of the state government’s untiring commitment to alleviate the sufferings of the displaced population who have fallen victim of repeated unprovoked attacks and killings by armed herdsmen.
Iorpuu, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his tireless commitment and proactive efforts in addressing the security challenges confronting the state as well as President, Bola Tinubu for taking decisive and proactive steps in addressing security issues in the state especially by directing the Chief of Army Staff to relocate to Benue state, noting that the singular move has demonstrated commitment towards restoring peace and security to troubled communities.
He also announced during the briefing that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMet, has listed Benue State as one of the high- risk areas likely to experience flooding in the coming months and urged citizens especially those living in flood- prone communities to begin early preparations and move to higher and safer grounds, assuring that the Agency will continue to sensitize the public as well as put in place contingency plans in case of any emergency.
Iorpuu called on partners, stakeholders and the general public to continue to support the collective efforts of the Agency to bring relief, dignity and eventual resettlement to the displaced population, urging the people to work together in solidarity until peace is fully restored for those displaced to return to their ancestral homes.
Items distributed include- 1325- bags of rice, 965- bags of beans, 475- bags of gari, 1225- cartons of indomie, 105- gallons of palm oil, 19- gallons of G- nut oil, 83 cartons of magi, 43- bags of salt and 70- bags of sugar respectively.