New IDPs lament hunger in camp

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Agatu Local Government Area of Benúe State have appealed to federal government and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come their aid with food items because they facing severe hunger. Our correspondent reports that many communities in Agatu LGA had been sacked by armed invaders in the continuing invasion […]

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Agatu Local Government Area of Benúe State have appealed to federal government and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come their aid with food items because they facing severe hunger.

Our correspondent reports that many communities in Agatu LGA had been sacked by armed invaders in the continuing invasion of the area.

The latest in the series was Egwuma community where 12 people were killed last Sunday after armed invaders attack, which caused the  residents to fled the vicinity.

Some of the displaced villagers who were unanimous in their call for government’s intervention, narrated that they are severely hungry with their children as they have no access to foods.

They also suggested the establishment of military bases in their localities to enable them return to their homes as in the meantime, they were scattered into neighbouring communities and open spaces for shelter.

Engr lbrahim Yunusa, said that the federal government should establish a military base at Ogumogbo community, a border town where herders always cross from Kogi and Nasarawa states to openly graze their cattles and attack neighbouring communities in the process to enable the displaced persons return home to continue with their farming and fishing activities.

Yunusa expressed concern that the situation had brought untold hardship to the people and called on governments, national and state emergency management agencies, public spirited individuals and non governmental organisations to donate relief materials to cushion the effect of the displacement on the people.

Head of the Egwuma community, Ogiri Edeh, lamented that his people have been wondering about without food since they were displaced and appealed to government to come to their aid.

Also, Daheru lbrahim lamented that he has lost the bread winner of the family to the attack and has no hope surviving in life while Sule Ochume expressed worry that his children were going hungry with malaria as a result of mosquito bites in the bush where they are taking refuge.

Sani Samuel, who said he too has lost beloved ones added that the insecurity in the area cast doubt on their minds whether Agatu is still part of this country or not.

On his part, lbrahim Agbocheni  stated that neighbouring communities including Ogumogbo Ejima, lkpele,Olegomachi, Akele and Warri had been sacked and if nothing was urgently done to secure the area, the situation would scale beyond imaginable proportion as the road to the community is not motorable.

In separate comments, Pastors Ademu Adanu and John Ademu as well as a house wife, Grace Edeh, described the situation as  genocide and appealed to governments at all levels to consider the plight of the women and children in particular and provide succour to reduce their suffering as citizens of the country.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorapuu, said that the agency has concluded plans to begin profiling of the new IDPs as from Tuesday.

Iorapuu had however maintained previously that SEMA during its monthly distribution of food items  equitably reached all the camps, adding that after the profiling, food items would be extended to the new ones.