Over 4,800 persons displaced by Plateau state attacks — Humanitarian Affairs Minister

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq, on Wednesday said the attacks on five communities in Plateau state, by armed bandits on Monday displaced over 4800 women and children.

The communities are Kyaram, Gyambau, Dungur, Kukawa, Shuwaka villages under Garga District were attacked by armed bandits on Monday while scores were reportedly killed during the mayhem.

Farouq said the development was reported to the ministry by the Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) North Central Zonal office Jos, Mr Eugene Nyelong after profiling and assessment of victims.

“The Coordinator, NEMA North Central Zonal office Jos, Mr Eugene Nyelong who led the team confirmed that profiling and assessment of victims has begun. The number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are said to be over 4800 comprising mostly women and children,” she said.

She said that NEMA under the Ministry accompanied by SEMA, Joint Military Task Force, Community Leaders, Local Government Council Members and the Media are already in Plateau state for an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of destruction and advice the agency appropriately.

The Minister who directed the immediate deployment of relief materials including food, water, blankets and sleeping nets to the displaced victims who are currently seeking refuge in Garga Central primary school, Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State confirmed that relief materials were on the way to being delivered to the victims.

Farouq maintained that the local Government Health Department through the dispensary in Garga Town is offering skeletal medical support to the displaced persons while the Director-General of NEMA Ahmed Mustapha Habib is working on prompt delivery of emergency humanitarian support ahead of full intervention.

She sympathised with the state government and victims of the armed banditry attacks in Garga District of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State lamenting that the mayhem unleashed on innocent citizens, especially during the Ramadan Fasting was evil. (The Guardian)