Nasarawa displaced persons struggle to survive in neighbouring states

Statistics have been difficult to obtain, but the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) confirmed yesterday that thousands have been displaced since August.Armed invasions between Eggon and Alago in the south, and Fulani and Eggon in both southern and northern parts of the state, have killed hundreds and displaced thousands of people in no fewer […]

Statistics have been difficult to obtain, but the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) confirmed yesterday that thousands have been displaced since August.
Armed invasions between Eggon and Alago in the south, and Fulani and Eggon in both southern and northern parts of the state, have killed hundreds and displaced thousands of people in no fewer than 20 areas, cutting across four local government areas of Lafia, Obi and Nasarawa-Eggon.
The almost intractable crises have forced many to flee into neighbouring states of Plateau in the northeastern part of the state, Benue in the south, and Taraba in the north-east, relatives of the displaced persons have said.
Findings have shown that many of the displaced persons were forced to flee into Namo area of Plateau after they were repeatedly displaced in the crises that hit Assakio, Bakin Rijiya, Atabula, Gidan Mai Akuya, Sabon Gidan Kiranyi, Gidan Gambo, Sabon Gidan Bakin Kogi, Obi town, Ikposegye, Daddare, Kadunan Koro, Akura, Akurba Asonya, Fadaman Bauna, Ashigye, Alakyo, Aluaza and other settlements.
Some persons were displaced more than once after fleeing to neighbouring communities.
Findings have shown that the displaced persons are now camping in the open in government-owned primary schools, with little assistance from the host states. This is just as their state government has done little to mitigate their sufferings.
“We were displaced twice. We ran to neighbouring villages. Again, we were displaced into Namo. Here we have nothing to eat. Hunger, cold, diseases are killing our children and women,” a man who fled Assakio told Sunday Trust.  
“We heard that many have fled to as far as Kano State, although we are yet to ascertain that,” Dr. Abdullahi Idris, executive director of NASEMA also said.
Dr. Idris said his agency had not been able to reach out to the displaced persons, but added that the government had been reaching out to traditional rulers and local authorities from where the persons were displaced.