The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, says more than 17,000 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, have been registered in six camps in Yola.

The agency’s Spokesperson, Sani Datti, said in Yola on Tuesday that more than 6,000 children were among the IDPs.

Mr, Datti said that the agency, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Red Cross were managing six major camps.

He said “The present figure of IDPs so far as captured by NEMA shows those stationed in various camps in Yola and the figure stands at 17,045.

“Out of the figure, more than 6,000 are children,” Mr. Datti said.

The spokesperson said the major camps include the one at Nyako Housing Estate with a total of 2,325 IDPs in which 493 were women and 317 were men, while 1,515 were children.

Other camps include Daware camp in Fufore Local Government with a population of 3,070 IDPs, of which, 817 were women, 532 men and 1,721 children.

Malkwohi camp in Yola South Local Government has a total of 513 IDPs with 102 women, 71 men and 340 children.

He said that in the COCIN Church camp, there were 132 IDPs with 50 women, 22 men and 60 children.

At the Girei Local Government Area Primary School, a total of 2,005 IDPs were in camp, comprising 715 women, 350 men and 940 children.

Mr. Datti said that the biggest and largest IDPs camp in the state was that of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, camp at Bajabure village, where 9,000 people were accommodated, including over 2,300 children.

“Right now, we are still waiting for the arrival of some IDPs who ran into Cameroon during the recent attack on Mubi town and other towns.

“In fact, we have started erecting tents for them,” Mr. Datti said

He appealed to IDPs, especially those living with either their relatives or host communities, to come out and register at nearest camp, saying that government had provided enough relief materials to carter for the needs of the IDPs. (NAN)