The Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) has disclosed that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge in the state following the deadly Yelwata attacks has risen to 4,253.

Director General of the agency, Benjamin Akwash, revealed this over the weekend in Lafia, noting that the state is witnessing a surge in the number of displacement camps due to the recent attack in Yelwata, a border town between Benue and Nasarawa, which claimed over 200 lives.

He assured that the state government remains committed to supporting the affected persons by distributing relief materials to ease their hardship.

Akwash further noted the establishment of a new IDP camp in Obi Local Government Area, which currently shelters 1,020 individuals, in addition to existing camps in Idadu and Kpata in Doma LGA, and Agyraragu camp in Lafia LGA.

“The situation is that of an influx of internally displaced persons coming to Nasarawa state, and the number keeps increasing.

”As of yesterday, the figure at my disposal was 1800 at St John Agyraragu but now it is 1,852, Idadu and Kpata camps presently have 672 and 709.

“I got information again from Obi camp that 1020 IDPs have arrived there, Most of the people who relocated to the Kadarko camp have moved to other safer places because they feel Kadarko is no longer safe for them,” he said.

Akwash, however, clarified that most of the IDPs presently taking shelter in Nasarawa state were not completely from Yelwata, noting that some nearby communities also left their home because of the fear of attack.

According to him, the agency had assessed the situation in various camps to ascertain the number of displaced persons and to reach out to them with relief materials.

“We have put deliberate and robust measures in place, and we have held a series of meetings with the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services.

“We are now at the point of procurement, in the coming few days we will be able to purchase food and non-food items to distribute to them to lessen the hardship they are going through.

“So, I’m urging them to remain calm as we make a frantic effort to bring succour to them without further delay,” he said