Worried by the intense fear that enveloped the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp premises at Abagana in Makurdi, the IDPs have called on the state and Federal Government to establish a police post close to the camp for the security of their lives.
The Manager of the IDP Camp, Mr. Iliagh Terhule made the call yesterday in a chat with reporters at the camp’s premises in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Terhule noted that since the last attack some months back on the camp in which seven people were killed by suspected armed herdsmen, they can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.
He said they have continued to live in fear; hence the need to build a police post to enable police officers to respond swiftly in case of any emergency.
“We want the government to provide security outfit close to the camp to be able to respond to any emergency,” he said.
On whether the camp would be closed anytime soon, Terhule said: “The issue of camp closure is a complex one. The security of the IDPs is not guaranteed now if they return to their ancestral homes.
“If they must return, security measures must be put in place at their various communities. They also have to be helped with finance and seedlings else, you have just succeeded in breeding criminals.
“The psychological well-being of the IDPs should also be ascertained and managed before they are reintegrated into society to avoid enmity and violence among them,” he said.
Mr Terhule, who listed lack of food and water, hygiene, sanitation, (WASH) supplies as challenges in the camp, said they have cases of infectious diseases such as ring worm, scabies, and diarrhea, among others.
He further disclosed that no fewer than 28 IDPs have died at the Abagana IDP camp, in Makurdi between 2018 and now.
While soliciting for better health cares for the IDPs, particularly women and children, Terhule, who could not tell the number of new births in the camp since it was established in 2018, said 30 women are currently nursing new born babies and many others are expectant mothers.