Dr. Emmanuel Shior, the executive secretary of the state emergency management agency (SEMA), has allayed concerns about potential future attacks on displaced persons’ camps by herders around the state.
Shior calmed the anxiety on Tuesday by providing food and non-food goods to displaced people all around the state this month.
He reaffirmed that when the dry season approaches, the state administration will be ready to safeguard the lives of both residents of the state and those who have been displaced and are living in camps.
The Abagana IDP camp along the Makurdi/Laafia route was attacked by suspected herders last year, resulting in the deaths of seven persons.
Shior claimed that the state government was doing all possible to protect the lives and property of state residents, including those who were displaced and living in camps.
The SEMA boss stated that in order to secure the protection of lives and property, volunteers from the state’s community were collaborating closely with regular security professionals throughout the state.
Shior said, “The security of lives and property is the responsibility of the Federal Government but since it seems that Federal Government is lacking here, the state government will not close it’s eyes to watch it’s citizens including displaced persons been attacked.
“You know that the state government of recent unveiled the Communty Guards, which is expected to work together with conventional security men to ensure protection of lives including that of IDPs.”
While thanking the assistance provided by donor organizations, NEMA, and citizens nationwide, Shior stated that the agency has continued to provide both food and non-food goods to those who had been harmed by floods and herdsmen assaults throughout the state.
