Return IDPs to Their Homes, Northern Christian Leaders Urge Govt

Christian Leaders in Northern Nigeria have called on the federal and Plateau State government to work together to ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) were returned to their homes from camps by re-building their houses that were destroyed during the last month attacks.

Chairman of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Yakubu Pam stated this when he led the other officials of the association in a visit to Gashshi district of Barkinladi Local Government Council where the attackers wreaked enormous havoc.

The Cleric said that the attackers and killers of the villagers in their home land would not go unpunished as the long arm of the law would soon catch up with them.

He said that the internally displaced persons should be returned immediately to their homes and communities to avoid a situation where the attackers took over their lands and homes as witnessed in previous attacks.

The Cleric demanded for adequate security for the villagers on returning to their villages, adding that relief materials could be taken to them in their homes.

Responding, the victims told the Christian Leaders that during the attacks, military personnel in the area looked away.

Pastor Gyang Bulus, a church leader in the community said; "The soldiers told us that they were not directed by their superiors to intervene and as such there was nothing they could do."

Pam called on the state government to do more to make life worth living again for the people.

The Christian leaders donated bags of rice and other grains, and undisclosed amount of money to the IDPs, encouraging them to be strong against all odds.