Following the recent attacks on a few towns in Benue State, no less than 18,000 people have been uprooted this month.

Emmanuel Shior, the executive secretary of the state emergency management agency, said this on Tuesday while distributing relief supplies to some of the state’s internally displaced people.

Recall that between April 5 and April 9 of 2023, suspected armed herders assaulted various settlements in Apa, Otukpo, and Guma local government areas, resulting in the deaths of 135 people.

According to the SEMA chief, who provided a breakdown of the number of displaced people during the month of April, 8,000 IDPs were registered and camped in Adoka, Otukpo LGA, while 10,000 others are in Apa seeking refuge in Ugbokpo, the local government’s administrative center.

He said, “Benue has continued to be under siege for a long time. Recent killings in Benue State have added burden of taking care of the IDPs.

“For instance, 8,000 people are currently camped in Adoka in Otukpo local government and another 10,000 people taken refuge in Ugbokpo, headquarters of Apa LGA.

Shior requested additional assistance from the federal government to further ease the state’s load through the National Emergency Management Agency, the National Commission for Refugee, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, as well as other partners who he claimed were already aiding the state.

“They should do more to increase their support. Federal government should do more to support the State to put in place plans to return the IDPs as they are tired of staying in camps and in the host communities for over 5 years. Spirited individuals should also help us”, Shior appealed.

3500 bags of rice, 800 bags of beans (100 kg), 1000 cartons of indomie, 1800 bags of garri, 600 bags of salt, 1000 tubers of yams, and 600 cartons of Maggie are among the items distributed.