Group Raises Alarm Over Plight Of Taraba IDPs
Group Raises Alarm Over Plight Of Taraba IDPs
The Guardian, 01 Feb 2016
URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2016/01/group-raises-alarm-over-plight-of-taraba-idps/
• Senator Decries Influx Of Strange Faces
Human rights group, Protection Sector Working Group (PSWG), has warned that the alleged neglect of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Taraba State, if not urgently addressed, could affect the peace and security currently being enjoyed in the area, even as Senator Emmanuel Bwacha has raised alarm over perceived influx of strange faces into Taraba State.
The group expressed this view yesterday during their monthly meeting, where members regretted the way IDPs in the state have been relegated to the background. Members, who feared that the IDPs may be compeled to take laws into their hands, following government neglect, admonished relevant authority to, as a matter of urgency, arrest the situation by making available food items, shelters and other relief materials to affected persons.
The group, which members were drawn from various NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the Red Cross Society, Child Protection Network (CPN), Society for Future Health, WOTCLEF, CAN, FOMWAN, UNICEF and others, urged relevant authorities to act fast by reaching out to the IDPs.
Citing the allege failure the of state government to provide free education for the children of the victims of the insurgency as a major issue, the group noted that the situation has made it impossible for “such children to access the four walls of the classroom.”
“Sicknesses such as cancer, malarias, and other ailments are presently afflicting the IDPs. If not properly handled, it might as well turn out to be epidemic,” the group stated.
Meanwhile, Senator Bwacha, who is representing the Southern part of the state in the National Assembly, wondered why Taraba has suddenly become haven for strange persons, adding that there are influx of strange people on daily basis from elsewhere, whom according to him, are now settling in Bali, Gassol, Wukari and Ibi local government areas of Taraba.
“I addressed a press conference in Abuja yesterday and I showed them pictures of those killed by the invaders, trucks conveying the strange faces and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who are forced to leave their houses by the invaders. Very soon Nigerians will know who is lying,” he said.
Human rights group, Protection Sector Working Group (PSWG), has warned that the alleged neglect of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Taraba State, if not urgently addressed, could affect the peace and security currently being enjoyed in the area, even as Senator Emmanuel Bwacha has raised alarm over perceived influx of strange faces into Taraba State.
The group expressed this view yesterday during their monthly meeting, where members regretted the way IDPs in the state have been relegated to the background. Members, who feared that the IDPs may be compeled to take laws into their hands, following government neglect, admonished relevant authority to, as a matter of urgency, arrest the situation by making available food items, shelters and other relief materials to affected persons.
The group, which members were drawn from various NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the Red Cross Society, Child Protection Network (CPN), Society for Future Health, WOTCLEF, CAN, FOMWAN, UNICEF and others, urged relevant authorities to act fast by reaching out to the IDPs.
Citing the allege failure the of state government to provide free education for the children of the victims of the insurgency as a major issue, the group noted that the situation has made it impossible for “such children to access the four walls of the classroom.”
“Sicknesses such as cancer, malarias, and other ailments are presently afflicting the IDPs. If not properly handled, it might as well turn out to be epidemic,” the group stated.
Meanwhile, Senator Bwacha, who is representing the Southern part of the state in the National Assembly, wondered why Taraba has suddenly become haven for strange persons, adding that there are influx of strange people on daily basis from elsewhere, whom according to him, are now settling in Bali, Gassol, Wukari and Ibi local government areas of Taraba.
“I addressed a press conference in Abuja yesterday and I showed them pictures of those killed by the invaders, trucks conveying the strange faces and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who are forced to leave their houses by the invaders. Very soon Nigerians will know who is lying,” he said.