By Blessing Odega
The Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Monday visited and commiserated with victims of attacks in the 11 communities of Qua’an Pan Local Government of Plateau.
The SEMA delegation led by the Executive Secretary, Mr Sunday Abdu, also donated an additional assortment of food and non-food items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in IDP camps.
It would be recalled that the attacks resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of properties and displacement of many of the inhabitants from their ancestral homes.
Abdu condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, describing them as “heinous and calamitous”, and prayed for lasting peace in Quaan-Pan.
The executive secretary said that the visit and donation of additional relief materials was directed by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang to bring succour to the affected persons.
He expressed concern that the attacks persisted in spite of the tireless efforts of the state and federal governments to end the bloodletting.
“When we heard of the sad incident, we drew the attention of Gov. Mutfwang, and he graciously approved and made available the funds for the purchase of the relief materials. You will recall that SEMA brought some materials on September 1; this is an addition.
“The items are meant for IDPs in the three IDP camps at the Kwa, Doemak and Ba’ap communities with more than 6,000 IDPs.
“We are that most of the displaced persons are women, children, and the aged.
“I have been informed by our men in the camps that five women have given birth, out of which there is a set of twins,” he said.
Abdu assured the people the government would continue to support them and ensure that they would soon return to their ancestral homes.
He commended Quaan-Pan Local Government Council Chairman, Mr Christopher Manship, for his continuous efforts towards the development of Qua’an-Pan.
Manship, in his remarks, lauded SEMA for identifying with the people and for supporting the IDPs.
The chairman said that the gesture demonstrated genuine empathy and solidarity with the victims.
He assured them of the security agencies’ efforts in stabilising the area and outlined plans for the IDPs to return to their homes in due course.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items donated include mattresses, clothing, mats, blankets buckets, plates and cups.
The other items include rice, beans, garri, maize, seasoning, sugar, noodles and vegetable oil among others. NAN
