The Benue State Government has revealed that about 18,000 persons were forced to leave their homes and stay in IDP camps within the state in April.
Emmanuel Shior, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency and Management Agency or SEMA, revealed this while distributing relief materials to internally displaced persons in the state, adding that the displacement was due to various attacks suffered by communities in the state at the hands of various armed non-state actors.
“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 have taken refuge in Ugbokpo, headquarters of Apa LGA," Shior said.
The SEMA boss appealed to agencies of government and partners to help the state in tackling the issue.
“They should do more to increase their support. The 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.
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