Ex Benue Gov Gabriel Suswam visits Benue IDPs with his wife,donates relief materials.

Immediate past Governor of Benue State, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswam and his wife, Arc. Mrs. Yemisi Dooshima Suswam, today visited displaced victims of recent Fulani herdsmen attacks in Benue State.

The displaced persons visited are currently taking refuge in camps at Ugba and Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

Arriving Anyiin at about 1:30 pm, the Suswams met with community leaders and displaced persons at the camp opposite Ashi Polytechnic, Anyiin where they commiserated with the victims and donated relief materials to them.

Speaking to the people, former governor Suswam condemned what he termed as the wanton destruction of lives and properties of farmers by suspected Fulani herdsmen, expressing deep sympathy with the victims of the attacks, even as he urged them to bear their plight with fortitude in the belief that it will soon come to pass.

Rt. Hon. Suswam informed the people of the impending launch of the military operation code named "Ayem a Kpatuma" ordered by the federal government of Nigeria to help stop the herdsmen attacks, and called on the people to be law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies to ensure the success of the operation in the state.

He equally enjoined everyone above the age of eighteen years in the state to come out in their numbers and register in the ongoing voter registration exercise to vote for persons of their choice at the next round of elections who will provide the desired leadership for the peace and progress of the state.

Former First Lady of Benue State, Arc. Mrs. Yemisi Dooshima Suswam, prayed for the displaced persons entreating God Almighty to grant them the grace to be able to endure the pains of their  present ordeal.

The former First Lady also urged the victims to embrace God as He alone has answers to their problems.

She donated, on behalf of the Suswam family, relief materials to the victims comprising a hundred bags of rice, 500 pieces of wrappers, 10 bags of maize, 30 cartons of Indomie Instant Noodles, 20 bags of cooking salt, 20 cartons of washing soap, 20 cartons of Vaseline Body Cream, and 400 bales of Sanitary Pads for women convenience.

Also speaking at the occasion, member of the Benue State House of Assembly for Logo State Constituency, Terna-Kester Kyenge, lamented the painful experience the displaced person are going through as a result of the unfortunate attacks visited on them by the herdsmen.

He said the attacks have become one too many but enjoined the victims to be strong in their hour of trial even as he called on the relevant authorities to live up to their responsibility by restoring peace and security to the affected areas on a permanent basis.

Speaking earlier Dr. Terkula Suswam had decried the spate of incessant attacks on helpless Tiv farmers in Logo and the neighbouring Taraba State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

He said the displaced persons numbering more than fifteen thousand are in dire need of assistance, including medical care, informing that there has already been six births in the camp.

Dr. Terkula Suswam called on the federal authorities to expedite action and ensure the restoration of security to the affected areas to enable the displaced persons return to their respective places.

The Suswams and their entourage later arrived at the displaced persons camp at Ugba by 4:00 pm, where they met with the victims there and commiserated with them over their plight.

They encouraged the displaced persons to be strong and law abiding, assuring them that solutions to their problems will soon he found.

The people were further enjoined to participate actively in the ongoing registration of voters by going out in their numbers to be registered so they may be able to address their problems through the ballot.

Arc. Mrs. Yemisi Suswam, again on behalf of the Suswams, donated relief materials to the displaced persons at the Ugba camp including hundreds of tubers of yams in addition to similar items earlier donated to the camp at Anyiin in the same quantity.

Former governor Suswam reiterated his condemnation of the attacks and calls for the people to remain strong, law abiding and cooperate with the relevant authorities for the return of peace and security to their communities.

The Suswams were accompanied on the visit by member of the State Assembly for Logo, Terna-Kester Kyenge and his Katsina-Ala West counterpart, Hon. Tor Aye; State Secretary, Treasurer and Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Hons. Moses Audu, Samuel Dom Nev and Bemgba Iortyom.

Former Commissioner in the state, Mrs. Elizabeth Allagh; former Treasurer in the state Local Govt. Service Commission, Mrs. Esther Hon; House of Reps contender for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, Mrs. Mnena Ikondo-Ikpa, Jennifer Gbiseh, who is the Chief of Staff to Arc. Yemisi Suswam and many prominent personalities were also on the entourage.

Source Bemgba Iortyom