#Benue killing: 32 displaced persons dead

After escaping the bullets of suspected Fulani mercenaries, who attacked some #communities in parts of Benue State, no fewer than 32 Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) have been reported dead in the last one week in their makeshift camps.

The camps are scattered around North Bank area, a suburb of #Makurdi. Saturday Tribune  gathered that among the dead were children and the elderly, who in the last few weeks, were exposed to harsh weather due to the escalating crisis.
It was further gathered that most of the camps have been badly hit by diseases like measles,  diarrhea and  malaria, while majority of the children are also malnourished.
When journalist visited some of the camps, it was discovered that the displaced persons
have no toilet facilities as where the displaced were housed, they were seen  defecating in the open.
One of the displaced persons, who gave her name as Mrs Member Ikpa, told Saturday Tribune that she lost her three-month--old two days ago, after the deceased baby suddenly developed constant stooling and vomiting.
According to her, “I had my baby just fives days before the Fulanis sacked us from our homes. One week after getting here, I noticed she started stooling and vomiting, I started giving her drugs but days later, she died.
“Apart from my baby, about 10 other children and babies  have also died in the last few days within this our area,” she said.
At the LGEA Primary #School,  North Bank and LGEA Primary School, Ichwa, it was gathered from some of the inmates that they have been recording deaths in the camps almost on a daily basis.