No fewer than 1000 people have been rendered homeless and displaced to various places of worships in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, even as the displaced persons have called on both the State and Federal Government to come to their aids in terms of basic amenities.
Gunmen in their large number last week stormed some communities in Bokkos local government and snuffed lives out of 23 people, leaving many others with injuries. As a result of this unfortunate development, many have abandoned their villages and taking solace in various places of worships at the headquarters of the council area.
When Tribune Online visited the local government headquarters, those displaced were seen squatting in churches for fear of being attacked by the rampaging gunmen who had vowed to attack them again.
Our findings revealed that Church of Christ in Nations, (COCIN) Bokkos Central, has the highest number of IDPs from the attacked Ruboi, Marish and Kwatas villages.
A Pastor of Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) who craved anonymity told Tribune Online that facilities within the church premises have been overstretched adding that the pathetic situation was compounded by lack of enough food and toiletries for the IDPs most of whom were children and women.
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Another place of worship harbouring the displaced persons was Christ Apostolic Church Bokkos Central, ECWA Bishara 1 Bokkos. The inmates were seen sleeping on the mats while major challenges remain feeding.
One of the leaders of the IDPs Alexander Danjuma appealed to the government and security agencies to provide adequate security for them, to enable them return to their respective communities.
” We want the government to assist us, we want to return to our communities but we cannot just return without adequate security and assistant from the government to build our houses and properties burnt by the gunmen. Governor Simon Lalong should help us,” he said.
A Community leader, Danjuma Marren, said both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and it’s state counterpart are yet to come to the aids of the Internal Displaced Persons and called on the agencies to consider the plight of the IDPs and come to their aids.
However, the State Emergency Management Agency and the State Commissioner of Information, Mr Daniel Majang, could not be reached for comment on the plight of the IDPs.
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