Plateau Crisis: IDP camps Increases to 7,205 in Bauchi in fresh displacements

From Paul Orude Bauchi

No fewer than 7,205 internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps have sprang up in Bauchi State as a result of the recent bloody crisis that occurred in Plateau State.

The crisis displaced thousands of residents in Mangu and some parts of the state leading to wanton destruction of lives and property.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu Wanka, disclosed the figure during a visit to Boto IDP camp to distribute relief materials to displaced persons.

Wanka was in company with the permanent secretary of the ministry, Shuaibu Alhaji Mohammed, senior directors and other staff of the Ministry visited the IDPs who are taking shelter at a secondary school in Boto community.

She said those who fled in crisis are currently resident in camps in Tafawa Balewa, Toro and Bauchi local government areas of the state.

She said the state government has donated 490 assorted bags of grains and other none food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking shelter in three Local Government Areas of the state.

The assorted grains include 265 bags of maize, 85 bags of 50kg rice, 140 bags of 25kg rice and 35 cartons of spaghetti.

Wanka said the state government also donated 52 gallons of vegetable oil, 10 bags of salt and five carton of seasoning to the IDPs.

“None food items included: 296 pieces of blankets, 296 pieces of mats, 400 pieces of plastic plates and spoons and 30 pieces of plastic buckets”,  she said.

The sum of N1.7 million was shared amongst the IDPs in the identified camps, she said

The Commissioner revealed that there 7,205 IDPs, spread across Tafawa Balewa, Toro and Bauchi were reached with the relief materials.

Wanka expressed concern that more IDP camps are springing up in other places in neighboring Plateau State.

While addressing the displaced, Wanka said that her team was at the camps at the directive of Governor Bala Mohammed to commiserate with them and donate relief materials to assist their stay at the camps.

Wanka further said the visit would further afford the ministry to assess the situations at the camps and report back to the Governor for further intervention.

She implored IDPs to live peacefully with one another beyond their stay in their respective camps.

In their separate remarks shortly before receiving the relief materials, Chairmen and Women Leaders of the displaced persons taking shelter at the Secondary schools in Lere and Boto districts of Tafawa Balewa commended the state government for the timely intervention in reaching out to them.

They prayed to God to reward Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Commissioner and her team for coming to their aid in their time of need.