Kogi State Raises Security Alarm Over Influx Of Benue People Displaced From The Fulani/Agatu War.

Hundreds of people displaced in the current face-off between Fulani herdsmen and Agatus in Benue State are now taking refuge in some communities in Kogi.
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi confirmed this on Tuesday in Lokoja during a meeting with the chairmen of the 21 local government councils in the state.
He said that the displaced persons, including women and children, took refuge in Bagana, Abejukolo and six other communities in Omala Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the influx of people from Benue to Kogi was an indication that the government and the chairmen of local government councils must be on red alert.
The governor told the council chairmen to take `full control’ of the security situations in their respective local government and report any untoward development to his office.
Mr. Wada said that the police and the SSS had been alerted on the dangers posed by the development and had directed them to take appropriate security measures.
The governor later went into a closed door meeting with the council chairmen on the issue of security and other matters.
Earlier in the day, the Chairman of Omala Local Government, Labaran Oigebe, expressed concern over the influx of Agatus from Benue into his local government.
He urged the Federal Government to respond to the humanitarian challenge posed by the development.
Mr. Oigebe stated that the number of refugees had been on the increase and expressed concern over the outbreak of diseases such as cholera and Lassa fever.
He said that concentration of the displaced persons in about seven communities in his local government might also result to shortage of foods and other essential commodities, and called on the National Emergency Management Agency to intervene.
Mr. Oigebe, who was in Lokoja to brief the state government on the refugee situation in his council area, said that temporary camps had been opened.
He however said that the camps were running out of foods, drugs and water.
“Already our people who have been supporting them with food and accommodation have started showing fatigue.
“They are complaining of food shortages and the local government palliatives are inadequate,” he said, and appealed to the government to take urgent steps to secure lives and property in the local government.
(NAN)