NUMBER OF BENUE CHILDREN IN IDPs CAMPS WORRISOME – AKASE

Mr Akase who was speaking yesterday on the situation said the number of children in the eight IDPs camps stood at 80,450 last week.

He decried the plight of victims of the attacks especially the young ones whose future he said was negatively being affected by their continued stay out of school.

“The children of Benue State have been forced into the camps by men who kill by both the gun and the sword; men who do not spare women and children; men who set ablaze schools and places of worship. The children are no longer going to school. Their schools are in ruins following attacks by violent herdsmen”, he stated.

Mr Akase emphasized the urgent need for good spirited Nigerians to assist the Benue State Government in managing the humanitarian crisis capable of creating food shortages, poverty and hunger.

“I call on Nigerians to continue to say no to the invasion and occupation of communities in Benue and other parts of the country. Our children also deserve a good future. They do not deserve to grow up in IDPs camps”, he stressed.

The Chief Press Secretary disclosed that with nearly 180,000 IDPs now in the camps, the resources of the state have been overstretched, giving assurance that the State Government will not relent in taking care of the affected persons despite the unfortunate situation.

He said Governor Samuel Ortom remains committed to bringing to an end the killing of innocent Benue people to guarantee the return of his people to their ancestral homes.