Over 6,000 displaced in renewed Benue attacks, says National Emergency Management Agency
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that a total number of 6,527 people have been displaced in the aftermath of the recent violence in Benue State.
Penpushing reports that the agency added that among the displaced persons include children and women who were in urgent need of food, non-food items, potable water, and essential medical supplies.
The management in a statement posted on X stated that among the displaced people are 82 pregnant women, 252 lactating mothers and 657 children under 18
“As of last night, displacement figures stood at 1,069 households, comprising 6,527 individuals. Among them are 1,768 females, 759 males, 657 children under 18, 1,870 adults above 18, 252 lactating mothers, 82 pregnant women, and 91 elderly persons. Urgent humanitarian support is being mobilised and delivered to alleviate the hardship of the displaced persons’; the statement reads.
Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that suspected Fulani militiamen invaded Yelwata town in Guma local government area, killing more than 100 people, while residents said the death toll is more than 200.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), however, said the casualty figures remain inconsistent due to the volatile security situation and limited access to affected areas, adding that as at the time of this report ongoing rescue and recovery operations are expected to provide more accurate figures.
“Following a distress alert, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed to the scene. Tragically, two soldiers and one NSCDC officer lost their lives in an ambush while responding to the incident in Daudu’, the agency said.
Penpushing also reports that the statement stated that 20 of the 46 individuals taken to hospitals later died, disclosing that medical teams have called for urgent blood donations to support critical care efforts
“Medical teams have called for urgent blood donations to support critical care efforts. The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the attack and reported that some of the assailants were neutralised during an exchange of gunfire. Efforts to support displaced populations are underway’,
Penpushing reports that the statement said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) are coordinating relief activities at a newly established Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Makurdi International Market.”
The youths, following the attack took to the streets, protesting against the killings, but protesters were, however, dispersed when police operatives fired tear gas at them, while some rights groups including Amnesty International have condemned the killings, calling on the President to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the area.
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