Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, has said that over 4,800 persons, comprising mostly women and children, were displaced by Monday’s attack on five communities in Plateau State.
The communities, namely Kyaram, Gyambau, Dungur, Kukawa and Shuwaka that are under the Garga district of Kanam Local Government Area, were attacked by armed bandits on Monday while scores were reportedly killed during the mayhem.
The minister condemned the incident, describing it as “satanic”.
Farouq, who sympathised with the state government and victims of the attacks, noted that the mayhem unleashed on innocent citizens, especially during the Ramadan fasting, was evil.
A statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, revealed that the minister has directed the immediate deployment of relief materials like food, water, blankets and sleeping nets to the displaced victims who are currently seeking refuge in Garga Central Primary School, Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Farouq also announced that the relief materials were on their way to be delivered to the victims.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), under the ministry, accompanied by SEMA, Joint Military Task Force, community leaders, Local Government council officials and the media are already in the state for an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of destruction and advice the agency appropriately, the statement said.
The coordinator of NEMA’s North-central zonal office in Jos, Mr Eugene Nyelong, who led the team, confirmed that profiling and assessment of victims have begun.
According to Nyelong, the assessment, which commenced on Tuesday, revealed loss of many lives and destroyed property.
The local government Health Department, through the dispensary in Garga town, is however offering skeletal medical support to the displaced persons while the
Director-General of NEMA, Ahmed Mustapha Habib, is working on prompt delivery of emergency humanitarian support ahead of full intervention.
