FROM HENRY IYORKASE (MAKURDI)

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, on Thursday, announced that it has received an additional 18,000 people at the various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) centers in the state

The agency revealed that among the 18, 597 newly registered IDPs in Gwer West Local Government Area, nursing mothers, People with Disability (PWD) dominate in numbers.

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, James Iorpuu, during a press briefing in Makurdi on the monthly distribution of relief materials to IDPs and vulnerable groups.

 Iorpuu, who also serves as the Executive Secretary of BSEMA, said a new IDP camp has been established at NKST Primary School in Naka, Gwer West, to accommodate the newly displaced persons.

Represented by the Head of Administration at BSEMA, Donald Komgbenda, he noted that the new IDPs come from 4,648 households.

A breakdown of the figures revealed that among the IDPs are 8,650 women, 4,147 men, and 5,795 children. Also included are 325 pregnant women, 637 breastfeeding mothers, 1,315 people living with disabilities, and 571 elderly individuals.

Iorpuu added that BSEMA has also dispatched a team to assess the situation at St. Patrick’s Primary School in Taraku, Gwer East LGA, for possible intervention.

“In response to the recent devastating attacks on communities in Gwer West and Apa LGAs, the agency had earlier delivered relief materials to affected areas,” he said.

The BSEMA boss expressed the state governments appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for taking prompt action to address the security crisis in the state, with the deployment of the Chief of Army Staff to Benue.

“This action shows the Federal Government is not only aware of our challenges but is actively working to restore peace and security in our communities,” he stated.

He described the monthly distribution of food and non-food items as more than a routine, it is a demonstration of compassion, a symbol of hope, and proof of the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

Items for distribution include 1,325 bags of rice, 965 bags of beans, 475 bags of garri, 1,225 cartons of noodles, 105 gallons of red oil, 83 cartons of seasoning, and 43 bags of salt, among others.