National Human Rights Commission has accused the government of abandoning no fewer than 4,723 Internally Displaced Persons in different locations in Taraba.
In a statement by the commission’s Deputy Director, Protection and Investigations, Mr. Labert Oparah, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe said this during an official visit to the state.
The statement read “The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, has lamented the abandonment of 4,723 Internally Displaced Persons at various locations in Taraba State,” the statement read in part.
Angwe noted that neither the government nor its relevant agencies have showed concern about the plights of the IDPs despite the fact that they have spent over a year in their settlements.
He gave the example of Gullong, where one of the settlements with over 259 IDPs’ camps was located, there were no foodstuffs, mattresses, security or medical facilities for the displaced persons and their children.
He said “The government of Taraba State and indeed relevant agencies have obligations and responsibilities to protect and provide for these people because they are Nigerian citizens.”
Angwe urged National Emergency Management Agency to move in immediately and improve the situation of the IDPs.
