By Correspondent in Lafia.
The Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) has distributed relief materials to thousands of displaced farmers from Doka and Antsa communities.
The farmers from Doka community of Doma Local Government Area (LGA) and Antsa community of Keana LGA were allegedly attacked on Thursday, June 12 by gunmen.
Speaking during the distribution on Saturday in the Kadarko community of Keana LGA, Barr. Benjamin Akwash, Director-General (DG) of NASEMA, said the relief materials were to cushion the effects of the hardships they were going through.
He added that the displaced persons ran from their communities due to the attack that allegedly led to the loss of lives of two of their people and the destruction of their property.
Akwash explained that the agency received information about the attacks in the two communities and their subsequent refuge at the Secondary School in the Kadarko community on Friday, June 13.
He said that the agency had brought relief materials immediately as a proactive agency whose responsibility is to attend to emergencies to provide succour to victims.
Akwash emphasised that the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting vulnerable populations since its inception in 2019 and is committed to sustaining this support.
“The governor has asked us to bring relief materials and asses the situation and also here the concerns of the affected persons for prompt action,” he added.
The DG consoled the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attacks and assured them that measures would be put in place to enable them to return to their communities.
He also urged them to embrace peace and learn to live with others in harmony irrespective of tribe or religion.
The items donated to the displaced persons include: rice, gari, bedsheets, mosquito nets, soap, salt, noodles, pampers, among others.
Receiving the items, Mr Sabo Asabahiyu, Deputy Chairman, Keana LGA, who doubled as Chairman, Local Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) in the area, appreciated NASEMA for the quick response.
The Deputy Chairman also extended the condolences of the area council to bereaved families and encouraged them to embrace peace.
Asabahiyu explained that most of the IDPs were farmers, and promised that the area council would collaborate with the state government to deploy security to their areas to enable their safe return.
On his part, His Royal Highness, Umar Usman-Dodo, Osokadoko, appreciated NASEMA for the prompt response to cushion the effects of the victims of the attacks.
He, however, said that the attacks were not in their community, but in neighbouring communities, and said the victims ran to their place because of its centrality.
He therefore appealed that the government should deploy more security personnel, including the military, to the area to ensure the protection of lives and property.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
