Following a violent clash between farmers and cattle rearers in Benue State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Tuesday says about 3, 605 affected persons, mostly Fulani nomads, are currently taking refuge in four temporary camps in Utanga and Obanliku Local Government Areas of Cross River State.

A team from the Agency who visited the camps to provide relief materials last weekend confirmed that the temporary camps accommodate 905 men, 1499 women and 1201 children.

NEMA’s Director General, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, in a message read on his behalf by Mike Adeyanju commended the Cross River State Government for accommodating the displaced persons and for providing borehole, tents and water tanks at the camps.

The NEMA boss asked the camp managers to ensure direct distribution of the items to the displaced people and that efforts should be made to ensure their return to their respective settlements in Katsina Ala, Benue State, after the resolution of the conflict.

Mr. Adeyanju also appealed to the displaced Fulanis to maintain peace and cooperate with people in their host community.

Responding on behalf of the host community, the Vice Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Area, Margaret Achinikon, said the council was instructed by the state governor to create the temporary shelters for the displaced persons. She expressed gratitude to the federal government and NEMA for providing the relief assistance. 

Also speaking at the occasion, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Vincent Aquah, observed that the continued influx of more persons to the camps require more facilities and supports from government and other stakeholders.

The representatives of the displaced persons, Wakili Abdullahi, said they fled to the camps for safety and security after the crisis that erupted in Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue State. He thanked the host communities for their support and promised to ensure peace and harmony in the camps.