Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kafin-Koro town, Paikoro LGA of Niger State are facing food and basic necessities shortages, including clothing, according to sources.
The IDPs in the camp are from various communities, including Adunu, Beni, Kabula, Zazzaga, Kazai, Fuka, Nanati, and Kwagana LG.
One-year-old Christopher Yusuf, whose mother was kidnapped with dozens of others on March 14 in Adunu, Paikoro LGA, was recently diagnosed with kwashiorkor. The infant had been surviving on tea and artificial milk which he rarely accepts.
Rev Fr Bahago Dauda Musa, Coordinator, Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Catholic Diocese of Minna, said, “Christopher Yusuf had been taken to a private hospital in Adunu where he was administered drips and drugs.”
He called on the government to help release dozens of others still in captivity. Meanwhile, bandits have cut the ransom from N200 million to N100 million.
Communities are starting to contribute to securing the release of their loved ones. Recently, some abductees were shot dead, and four women and a little boy were released to deliver a warning that more people would die if the ransom was not paid in time.
Niger State Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Emmanuel Umar, said, “We pay serious attention to people that have been displaced as a result of banditry or natural disasters. The local government is also doing its best to support the victims.”
On the issue of malnutrition, the commissioner said that health professionals in the state would be engaged to provide medical support to the victims.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has been directed to provide relief materials to the victims.
Director General of NSEMA, Ibrahim Inga, confirmed that the Secretary to State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, had already met with community leaders, and directives had been given to provide relief support to the victims.
