The National Emergency Management Agency,NEMA, says some of the displaced persons during the recent Baga crisis in Borno State have refused to return home for fear of other attacks, and have decided to keep hiding in the bush.
This is contained in a statement signed by Abdul kadir Ibrahim, the NEMA Information Officer in the North East Zone, in Yola on Monday.
According to the statement, following the return of normalcy, and on arrival into Baga Town, the Agency discovered that most of the displaced persons are still scattered in the bush.
“Some other people are taking refuge in the homes of their relations in the neighbouring communities,” it said.
He said that humanitarian workers led by the Agency had commenced distribution of relief items to displaced persons affected by the crisis.
“This is in line with the President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to the Agency that immediate relief materials should be given to the people.
“The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, had dispatched a team of officers with the relief and medical items to affected persons in the area,’’ Mr. Ibrahim said.
“The major task before NEMA is to ensure that people in the bush are relocated to temporary camps,’’ the statement quoted NEMA Director, Search and Rescue, Charles Otebagde, as saying.
It also revealed that an immediate rapid assessment was being conducted in collaboration with Red Cross and other voluntary organisations.
The statement added that relief items are being distributed while those with minor injuries are being treated at a temporary camp clinic opened in the area.
It listed communities affected in Baga as Bayan Bulabulin, Anguwa Gajagaja, Aliya, Musarin Baga, Kasuwan Baga, Layin Yannono.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items distributed by the officials together with other humanitarian workers include medicals, sanitary, food, household materials and tents.
Meanwhile, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has appealed to humanitarian, corporate organisations and public spirited individuals to provide more relief materials to Baga victims.
Mr. Ibn Garbai made this known on Monday in Baga during a sympathy visit to the people of Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.
He said that the victims were in dire need of urgent support due to the magnitude of the disaster.
Mr. Ibn Garbai, who presented a cash donation of an undisclosed amount to the victims, commended the state government for its assistance to the victims.
Senator Maina Ma’aji, the Senator representing Borno North in the Senate also made similar calls.
He urged the Federal Government to deploy Doctors and medical supplies to the various camps in the town.
About 200 people were reported killed during a clash between insurgents and Nigerian security officials in Baga two weeks ago.
Mr. Ma’aji said 220 victims had been buried, while the Nigerian military claims the casualty figure was exaggerated. .
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