Residents of some communities in the southern part of Nasarawa State have fled their homes due to killings and attacks by armed men suspected to be herdsmen.
The residents, who are mostly women and children, have taken refuge in some schools in Doma, Agyaragu, Agwatashi and Imon villages.
They told Channels Television that they fled as a result of the unrest in the area.
Warning that the crisis has taken another dimension, they called on the government to swiftly intervene.
One of the displaced persons, Iorfa Adaah, said he is left with no choice than to leave his house as a result of constant attacks.
“My being here is as a result of the crisis going on. People have given the crisis different names. Some say it is as a result of armed robbers, others say they are herdsmen,” Adaah said.
“We know the herdsmen are a problem when they destroy farmers’ crops but this time around it has taken a different dimension. One will be sleeping in his house, you will hear knock on the door and if you come out, you only face a bullet.”
Another displaced person, Catherine Azer, called on the government to intervene adding that she wants to return home and live in her house without fear of attacks.
The Nasarawa State government, however, said it will continue to work in synergy with security agencies to ensure the safety of the internally displaced persons taking refuge across the state.
The Deputy Governor Silas Agara said this when he visited some IDP camps in the Southern District of the state to donate relief materials.
According to him, the government will not rest on its oars until normalcy is returned to the state.
Abubakar Maisaje, a Fulani elder in reaction to reports of the clashes between herdsmen and farmers sued for peace and sympathised with the farmers.
“What we want is that the farmers should take heart, at the moment the real attackers have not been caught. It as if it is criminals that are carrying out the attacks so we should both form committees that will be engaging in patrols and surveillance so as to identify the real perpetrators. We should live peacefully,” he said.
The Chairman of Obi Local Government, Sa’adatu Yahaya in her reaction told Channels Television that the situation is as a result of the backlash of skirmishes occurring in neighbouring Benue State. She reveals the plan of proper settlement of the displaced persons to give them a sense of protection.
