The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) has registered 18,592 additional Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gwer West Local Government Area, further highlighting the worsening humanitarian situation in the state.
James Iorpuu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, made this announcement during a press briefing in Makurdi on Thursday. The briefing focused on the monthly distribution of relief materials to IDPs and vulnerable groups across the state.
Iorpuu, who also serves as BSEMA's Executive Secretary, revealed that a new IDP camp has been established at NKST Primary School in Naka, Gwer West, to accommodate the newly displaced persons who come from 4,648 households.
Breakdown of the Displaced Population
According to BSEMA's data, the newly registered IDPs include 8,650 women, 4,147 men, and 5,795 children. The agency also identified vulnerable groups among the displaced population:
325 pregnant women
637 breastfeeding mothers
1,315 people living with disabilities
571 elderly individuals
Donald Komgbenda, Head of Administration at BSEMA, represented Iorpuu at the briefing and added that the agency has dispatched a team to assess the situation at St. Patrick's Primary School in Taraku, Gwer East LGA, for possible intervention.
Relief Efforts Underway
"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," Iorpuu stated.
The monthly distribution includes substantial quantities of food and non-food items:
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
43 bags of salt
Iorpuu described the monthly distribution 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."
Federal Government's Response
The BSEMA Executive Secretary commended President Bola Tinubu for taking prompt action to address the security crisis in Benue State, particularly through the deployment of the Chief of Army Staff to the region.
"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 emphasized.
The increasing number of IDPs in Benue State continues to highlight the persistent security challenges facing the region, despite ongoing military interventions and humanitarian efforts.
