March 31, (THEWILL) – Benue state government has decried the increasing number of Internally Displaced Persons in the state, following persistent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Emmanuel Shior, who expressed government reservation over the matter while distributing relief materials for IDPs, noted the negative impact such was telling on Benue economy.
The SEMA boss said the relief materials were for seven designated official camps and twenty unofficial ones, housing over two million IDPs in the state.
“The Benue state government is aware of new attacks on some communities in Kwande local government area. SEMA at the moment is sending relief materials and shelter to victims before carrying out needs assessment.”
Dismissing insinuation from the position that relief materials were being diverted, Shior, stated that he has nothing to hide, since national dailies and other media representatives are always present during distribution exercises.
He commended governor Samuel Ortom for standing for humanitarian intervention through SEMA to the plight of IDPs in the state.
Our correspondent reports that over ten trucks loaded with bags of rice, Indomie and other essential materials, left SEMA headquarters in Makurdi to various camps across the state.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command said on 29/03/2022, at about 2005hrs, armed men invaded the Agabge-Naka road, Gwer-west local government area and started shooting sporadically.
“In the process, two persons were confirmed dead and corpses deposited at Fr. Mathias Morgue, while investigation is ongoing.
Members of the public are advised to cooperate with detectives deployed, to unravel the cause of the attack.”
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police, Sewuese Anene, said the barbaric act is condemned and unacceptable.
According to her, the command in collaboration with other security agencies have adjusted the security architecture in the area to prevent future recurrence.
