• Plateau refugees task gov on reunification
Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago, has revealed that no fewer than 500,000 displaced persons from Niger State are scattered around Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as the Benin Republic, promising that frantic efforts are in place to ensure that they return home any time soon.

The governor dropped the hint during the presidential initiative on the distribution of food, nutritional items and drugs to the vulnerable affected by the humanitarian crisis in Borgu Local Council of the state.

He explained that the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners, is working around the clock to speed up the reunification of IDPs with their immediate families

Bago also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that the National Park in Borgu be cleared and made habitable to accommodate security apparatuses to address insecurity.

The Emir of Borgu, Mohammed Sani Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, in his remarks, appreciated the governor’s efforts, whom he described as an exemplary leader who has always shown concern for his people.

The monarch also acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Government and urged the people to exercise patience as governments at all levels work to ensure their safety.

Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, thanked the Federal Government for its show of sympathy to the Borgu people, while also acknowledging the efforts of the governor in ensuring peace returns to the emirate.

The Council Chairman, Abdullahi Mohammed Nasir, Commissioner for humanitarian affairs, Dr Ahmed Ibrahim Inga and the Jikadan Borgu, in their separate remarks, lauded both the federal and state governments for the gesture, which they say would sustainably ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

Also, the Displaced People of Bokkos, a coalition of persons dislodged from their ancestral lands in Bokkos local council of Plateau State by bandits, terrorists and land grabbers, have cried out to Governor Caleb Mutfwang to fulfil his promises of facilitating their return.

In an open letter addressed to the governor yesterday, the group lamented that due to their displacement, they have been forced to live like destitutes in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, begging for food.

Signed by their coordinators, Mangut Alfred, Micah Malo, and David Arandong, the IDPs said it was disheartening that, despite several promises by the state government that they would soon return to their lands, nothing had been done.