Lack of adequate healthcare facilities and a shortage of food have led to the deaths of two newly born babies and one elderly woman at the Internally Displaced Camp (IDP) in Gwada, Shiroro Local Council of Niger State.

Hussaini Alhassan, Desk Officer at the IDP camp, made the revelation to newsmen recently during a N30 million humanitarian relief donation by the North South Power Foundation (NSPF) to the IDPs.

Alhassan hinted that the two newborn babies died during childbirth at the Gwada camp, while the elderly woman lost her life at the Kuta IDP camp.

He highlighted that IDPs from Kaore and Bassa communities in Shiroro have been living in Gwada camp for over six years as a result of insecurity, stressing that the camp is confronted with poor healthcare services, food shortages, and other necessities of life.

In a related development, the Coordinator of the Kuta IDP camp, Yusuf Kuta, disclosed that about 300 IDPs, mostly women and children, were struggling with hunger and commended NSPF for its timely interventions.

Presenting the donation, Dr. Kemi Adekanye, Head of NSPF, represented by Dr. Samson Esumeh, stated that the intervention aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on food security and the eradication of hunger.

Kemi added, “We have a commitment to the welfare of these IDPs as they are from our host communities,” adding that “it is a routine for us and we want to ensure they are happy and healthy.”

The Chairman of Munya Local Council, Alhaji Aminu Najume, and the Secretary of Shiroro Local Council, Sanusi Musa, in their remarks, praised the North South Power Foundation for their humanitarian gesture, adding that the government was working towards resettling the IDPs.

Also speaking, the Director General, Niger State IDPs Agency, Danjuma Nalango, explained that his agency had not received official reports of the deaths.

Nalango noted that the IDPs in the Kuta and Gwada camps had been earlier directed to return to their communities due to improved security in their areas.

Beneficiaries of the relief include IDPs at Erena, Gwada, Kuta, in Shiroro, as well as Dangunu, in Sarkin Pawa local councils.