63,000 IDPs Taking Refuge In Plateau – SEMA

More than 63, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are taking refuge in various camps in Plateau, Alhaji Alhassan Barde, Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said in Jos on Monday.

Barde told NAN that the IDPs were from Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Nasarawa, Taraba and Plateau States.

He explained that those from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe were victims of insurgents attacks, while IDPs from Nasarawa and Taraba were displaced by ethno-religious crises and the others from Plateau were victims of violent midnight attacks.

The executive secretary said that IDPs displaced by insurgents attacks were 5,508, out of which 4,450 were taking refuge in Jos North Local Government Council.

“Nine hundred and forty persons are in Jos South Local Government while 118 are in Jos East,” he added.

The official also said that 18,000 IDPs displaced by ethno-religious crises were camped in Quan’Pan Local Government, 3,000 in Shendam, 1,626 in Langtang North, 1,074 in Langtang South, while Mikang area hosts 3,145.

Speaking further, Barde said that 300 IDPS were in Wase, 2,448 in Kanam and 1,380 in Kanke.

The executive secretary said that those displaced by violent attacks in Plateau were about 24,029, with 2,280 of them in Barkin Ladi, 1,423 in Bokkos and 20,326 in Riyom.

He said that SEMA was having “a very tough time” catering for the basic needs of the IDPs including the provision of food, shelter, clothing, health/nutrition toiletries and beddings.

“The challenges are worsened by the dearth of funds and the ongoing workers’ strike which had made it impossible for the staff of the agency to carry out their duties,” he said.