Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Taraba State have pleaded with the State Government to provide adequate security for them so that they can return to their ancestral homes.
Leader of the IDPs in Mutum-Biyu camp, Malam Yusuf Nadabu Akata, said that they were tired of living in camps hence the plea to the state government to provide them adequate security to enable them return to their homes.
Mr. Akata, who said over 2500 of them were forced out of Wukari early last year following series of attacks on the town, lamented the lack of basic amenities in the camp, which has made life almost unbearable for them.
“We don’t even have food to eat. The last time we were given relief materials was four months ago. Just last week, two of our children were knocked down and killed by speeding vehicles while attempting to cross the road to fetch water. We can’t continue like this. Government should quickly provide security for us and many others who are either staying in camps or staying with their relations, so that we can go back home”, he said.
The IDPs lamented that for over a year now, their children have not been attending school, adding they have lost many of their loved ones to common illnesses in the camp due to absence of health facilities.
They said as farmers, they need to go back to their homes to continue with their farming activities, especially now that the rainy season has set in.