The General Manager of Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Mohammed Shaba, has said that no fewer than 395 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) reside in the state.

Mr. Shaba told the News Agency of Nigeria in an interview on Sunday in Minna that most of the IDPs were from the north-eastern zone of the country that has been most ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We have 107 IDPs from Kalaah Hong Madagli in Adamawa that are living in Gurara Local Government and 288 IDPs from Gwoza in Borno residing in Shiroro Local Government,” he said.

“Those living in Gurara claimed that they followed their relatives and they are camping in Dikko Central Primary School, Gurara.
“Some of those residing in Shiroro also claimed that they are fishermen with women and children from Doron Baga in Borno, a riverine area.

“We asked them why they chose Shiroro and they said because Shiroro is also a riverine area where they can easily make a living,’’ the official added.

Mr. Shaba said his agency, in collaboration with Gurara Local Government Authority, had contacted some health workers to attend to health issues among the IDPs.

He also called on the state government to build a permanent relief camp that would accommodate the IDPs.
(NAN)