Benue Lawmaker Commends UNHCR Over Visit To Places Invaded By Fulani Herdsmen.

 
The member representing Logo State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly Hon. Terna-kester Kyenge PhD, today commended the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, for the recent working visit of its team to several parts that were invaded by Fulani herdsmen in his constituency.


Speaking in a press statement he personally signed and made available to Nigerian Concord, the lawmaker who was once an Executive Chairman of the local government said the working visit of the United Nations team was timely.

It would be recalled that the UNHCR team led by Mr Sam Agwa had on Tuesday visited Logo LGA for a spot assessment of the recent Fulani attacks in the area.

This visit was facilitated and coordinated by Chief Anawah Joseph, an indigene and stakeholder in the area in conjunction with Hon. Terna-kester Kyenge who had earlier brought the humanitarian crisis visited on his people to limelight.

The UN team visited Chembe, Mgbakpa, Tse-Igbur, Iorza, Jootar, Tse-Indyerkaa and Uwev-Gov all in Gaambe-tiev, Logo LGA.

At Iorza, the Kindred Head of Ukemberagya, Zaki Iorember Ukoom, told the team that the entire Ukemberagya community are displaced following incessant invasion of the area by Fulani herdsmen.

Zaki Ukoom expressed worry that if adequate measures are not taken to arrest the situation, the place will experience famine as farmers no longer go to the farms to cultivate for fear of being attacked by cattle herdsmen despite the fact that rains are coming.

While at Jootar, the Kindred Head of Akemkpa-Tswarev, Zaki Joseph Agbanyi, informed the team that as a result of sustained attacks by Fulani herders on his people, the area is deserted adding that, they have suffered wanton destruction of lives and properties.

Zaki Agbanyi however appealed to relevant agencies, organizations and spirited individuals to come to the aid of his people.

At Uwev-Gov in Mbagber council ward, the UN team was received and conducted round damaged places by Rev Nicholas Nyianshima. The team was told that in the guise of grazing, cattle herdsmen attack, kill, rape, loot and invade houses with foodstuff.

Lamenting, a stakeholder in the area and former Deputy Chairman Logo LGC, Hon Rev Samuel Aluga, decried the total absence of any refugee camp in the place to cater for the internally displaced persons who presently squat with relations and friends at Anyiin, Mchia, Abeda, Ugba and Afia in Ukum LGA.

In separate remarks, stakeholders of the areas Hon Aondolumun Ulaha and Hon Terkem Ukusa, called on the state and federal governments as a matter of urgency to beef up security in the affected areas as well as make concerted efforts to bring succour to the communities by establishing camps to take care of the displaced who are going through untold hardships.

Addressing the displaced people at Iorza, Jootar and Uwev-Gov, the United Nations team leader Mr.Sam Agwa, sympathised with them over the unfortunate occurrence and promised to report their findings to the UNCHR for necessary actions.

Mr. Agwa who stated that the UN team was in the place for a spot assessment, agreed that from their observation the crises were ongoing, and assured that UNCHR would be back to the area again soon. It would be recalled that sequel to an earlier motion on the floor of the Benue State Assembly petitioning the government to intervene against Fulani herders occupation, Hon. Terna Kester-Kyenge undertook an on the spot assessment visit to the affected areas on Friday the 11/03/16

Source Nigerian Concord[Written By Adekunle Fagorola]