Benue IDPs Appeal For Help To Return Home

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Agatu West have appealed to the federal government to assist them to return to their ancestral homes which they left due to attacks by unidentified gunmen.

The displaced persons, who are currently taking refuge in a camp in Agatu Local Government Area, said they had been in the camp for over two years.

Mr Ebi Lucky, National Youth President of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, made the appeal during a visit to the camp on Friday.

He said that the victims had remained in difficult conditions without adequate assistance from relevant authorities.

Lucky said many of the displaced persons had abandoned their homes due to persistent attacks.

“We have been in this situation for the past two years. Many of our people left their homes and have been living here without hope of returning soon.

“Our government representatives are not concerned about where they are living, what they eat or what they do.

“The children do not have access to education and the people have nothing to sustain themselves,” he said.

He appealed to the federal government to intervene and restore peace to the affected communities.

Lucky also called on the Benue State government and other elected representatives to assist the displaced persons to return to their homes.

“All we are asking for is peace in Agatu land so that our people can return home and continue their farming and fishing activities,” he said.

He explained that life in the camp have been difficult especially during the rainy season as the displaced persons lacked shelter and were living close to a river that often overflowed.

According to him, the situation exposes women and children to the elements whenever it rains.

Mrs Ajumi John, an IDP, said they chose to settle in the area because of the presence of soldiers.

She, however, said the fear of fresh attacks still persists.

“We came here because soldiers are around and we feel safer.

“However, sometimes at night we hear information that attackers may come, and we start running to different places to save our lives and our children,” she said.

Another displaced person, Mr Ogah Sale, said that residents fled their communities because of fear of attack by unidentified gunmen.

“We found ourselves here because of attacks from people we do not know. We had to leave everything behind.

“Most of what we use now, including clothes, are donations from kind Nigerians. We are waiting for government to come to our aid,” he said.

Sale added that the displaced persons are from different villages and communities, and were forced to live together in the camp while hoping to return to their homes when peace is restored.