The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Wednesday expressed worry over laxity by the federal government towards the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
SEMA also said following recent attacks by herders on some communities in the state, 6,000 persons have been displaced in Logo, Guma and Gwer West local government areas of the state.
Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. Emmanuel Shior, disclosed this during the monthly distribution of food items by the state government to the IDPs who are camped across the state.
Shior noted that the increasing number of IDPs in the state has put a strain on the state government finances.
He, however, noted that despite the swelling, the state government has continued to do its best and has been monthly distributing food items to them and refugees from Cameroon.
He called on the federal government to live up to its responsibility by providing succour for the refugees and IDPs who have been wallowing in camps across the state for many years due to continued attacks by marauders on some communities.
According to Shior, the continued attack by herdsmen militia on communities in the state have also resulted to destruction of infrastructure including Churches, schools, markets, health facilities among others.
“Because of the huge population of the IDPs and refugees in the state, it is not easy for the state government to cater for the IDPs.
“The humanitarian crisis in Benue has another leg which is crisis of infrastructure.
“The attackers not only killed, maimed and displaced people, they also have destroyed infrastructure.
“We wonder why the challenge has been neglected by the federal government despite several appeals from SEMA and the Benue government.
“The president should write his name in gold by doing the right thing in the last days of his administration,” he said.
Benue: SEMA decries FG’s negligence of Benue IDPs
