Plateau: B/Ladi swears against attackers during IDPs return

Internally displaced persons in Central Nigeria’s Plateau State might no longer face security threats when back home.

Officials in the State, Friday vowed to provide “adequate” protection for the IDPs in their original communities should they return.

Management Committee Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Ezekiel Mandyau said while touring camps containing IDPs from the LGA, that security and civil authorities were in ‘serious’ talks to revive socioeconomic life in communities displaced by violent attacks last year.

This according to him is expected to be achieved before Christmas this year.

The lack of quality healthcare, food and schools enumerated by the IDPs during the tour, Mandyau said will be resolved to aid life in the communities.

Special Task Force Commander, Sector 4, Col. E.O. Ojo equally assured of prompt deployments to the affected villages once assured of the IDPs’ return.

“The problem we had in the past is, people went back but returned to camps and we cannot station men in empty communities.

“Once we are sure of your return, we will deploy our men immediately to guard your homes,” he said at the School of Geosciences, Jos IDP camp.

The Geosciences school was one of five IDP camps visited by the Barkin Ladi Chairman on Friday.

Others visited were COCIN LCC Rawuru, Dorowa Tsoho, RCC Fan and Mai Idon Tarau all in Barkin Ladi LGA.

The LG Chairman had on Thursday visited IDPs in COCIN RCC Bokkos in Bokkos LGA, Gana Ropp, St. John Vianney Minor Seminary and COCIN LCC Kworos all in Barkin Ladi LGA.

Also visited on Thursday were IDPs in COCIN LCC Gassa, COCIN RCC Heipang and COCIN LCC Ban.

Mandyau, had two weeks ago toured villages affected by last year’s herdsmen attacks in the LGA.

“The people’s tour,” Mandyau said was preparatory to the full return of internally displaced persons to their original homes.

The Chairman held talks with community stakeholders on their major needs.

He also distributed forms for the communities to identify their peculiar needs for consideration during development project planning.

The tour to IDP camps, Mandyau said was necessary to hear first-hand the plights of the attack victims for proper decision making.