9 killed by herders in Benue IDPs camps
By Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi.
At least nine persons were reportedly killed by Suspected Fulani herdsmen at Internally Displaced Persons camp 2 in Gbajimba ,Guma Local Government Area Benue State.
The Camp Commandant, Mr Felix Aponi Banke, who made the disclosure when the Acting Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu led International Humaitarian Organizations who are on facts finding visit to IDPS in the State. .
According to the Camp Commandant, Fulani herdsmen last week invaded and killed one person at IDP camp 1, in Gbajumba who is yet to be buried.
He told the visitors that in an event of death in the camp, the leadership always meet with the District Head and other host community leaders that provide a parcel of land for interment hence IDPs cannot access their ancestral homes at the point of death.
Mr Banke pointed out that the major challenges being faced in the camp is diarrhoea due to lack of portable water supply in the camp.
Responding to a question, Mr Banke said, some displaced people are from Nasarawa state who fled to Benue for safety during attacks by herders; saying if security is guaranteed, they are willing to return to their ancestral homes.
Other respondents, informed that if opportunity comes, they will be willing to be train in the area of welding and fabrication, Hair Dressing, Tailoring, baking, among others so as to be self sufficient.
They said, as they stay in the cold and dehumanizing condition due to activities of terrorists, their hope is high that one day, God will help them out of their woods.
The team later visited visited IDP camp Ortese in Guma local Government Area where the Camp Commandant, Mr Mark Kparev, disclosed that over 11, 000 Persons have been captured in the ongoing data biometric exercise.
At the time of the visit, Fulani herdsmen were openly grazing behind behind at the camp, where the people said they sleeping with their eyes open due to fear of attacks by herders.
In his remarks, the Acting Executive Secretary of SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, noted that governor Hyacinth Alia administration is working with Federal Government and International Community to ensure safe and quick return of the Displaced to their ancestral homes.
According to him, following the withdrawal of Doctors Without Borders from supply of water to IDP camps, the Agency has taken the responsibility of water supply to cushion the effect of shortage of water among others.
