Some of the items donated to the IDPs
By Akanji Olowolodu, Bauchi
It has been confirmed that not few than 2,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are currently taking refuge in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The IDPs are said to be those fleeing from the ethnic crisis in Mangu LGA of Plateau state which has claimed many lives since it was ignited by yet to be identified persons.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Tafawa Balewa LGC, Sama’ila Wakili, recently embarked on a fact finding mission to the IDPs camps in Boto and Lere primary schools to enable him have firsthand information.
He described the situation as a worrisome development that requires urgent intervention of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) as his Council cannot do anything about it.
Sama’ila Wakili, symphatized with the IDPs over the incident that forced them out of their ancestral land and also donated relief materials worth N2.5 million to ease their immediate needs.
Some of the IDPs
He said that, the crises have especially taken toll on women and children as many of them have been rendered widows and orphans, while many others have lost their personal belongings.
Items donated included, mats, bucket, garri, sugar, cups and rubber kettle, and also promised to provide toilets for them in order to avoid the outbreak of any disease as well as open defacation.
In his remarks, the Director of SEMA, Bala Tafida, said that the Agency visited the camps to ascertain the number of the IDPs and collect their data on how they will be assisted.
In their remarks, the leaders of the IDPs, Manu Mohammed and Raihanatu Musa, pleaded with the Bauchi state government, individual groups and donor agencies to come to their aid as they are in excessive hunger and lack of toilet facilities in the camps.
