Makurdi — The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) has disclosed that 380 pregnant women displaced from Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area are currently sheltering at the Makurdi Ultra Modern International Market Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.
The camp manager, Robert Nyom, revealed this on Monday, noting that the facility is also home to 2,536 children.
“We have registered over 2,336 households in the camp, comprising 5,294 individuals,” Nyom said. “This includes 2,536 children, 389 pregnant women, 233 aged women, and 181 aged men.”
He refuted reports suggesting that children from the camp were being given out for care, stressing that BSEMA had not received any such requests and that proper procedures must be followed before any such action can be taken.
Addressing plans for the return of the displaced persons to Yelewata, Nyom said no evacuation process had begun. He explained that the government was committed to ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of the IDPs before any resettlement would occur.
He urged displaced persons eager to return to remain patient while the government works to make adequate provisions.
Nyom also acknowledged the support of the government, individuals, and organisations in providing food and non-food items for camp residents. However, he noted that current supplies remain insufficient to meet the growing needs of the displaced population.
