By Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

“I lost my husband in one of the attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. I left the village for a while but now, I am back because this is the only place I know and call home”.

That was how Mrs. Jummai Dachung, one of the 39 widows displaced from their communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, recounted her plight to Vanguard Metro, VM.

Mrs Dachung is one of the internally displaced persons, IDP, now taking refuge in the IDP camp located at Ekan Primary School, Rim.

For the past three years, residents of Rim, Gwawereng and other communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Council Areas, have been facing series of attacks by persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. These incessant attacks have left residents of these communities in perpetual fear, because they are not sure who will be the next victim.

As a fallout of these attacks, women and children deserted the communities, leaving a few men and youths behind in a few “secured houses”.

Last month however, some of those who fled the communities began to return. This followed assurances from the security agencies that the communities are now safe for them and their property.

Not satisfied by the assurances, some of the returnees who no longer have a place of abode because their houses were burnt by the herdsmen, took refuge in the camp for displaced persons in the primary school.

But the adverse weather conditions coupled with the scarcity of foodstuffs, have compelled some of them to to return to their homes. In the spirit of brotherhood, those who lost their accommodation to the insurgents, are being sheltered by their lucky neighbours.

Against the backdrop of the biting hunger and cold weather, the returnees who also lost their farmlands and barns to the invaders, have resorted to seeking assistance from churches and other concerned individuals and non-governmental organisations, NGOs.

One of such concerned organisations – Hope Initiative for Women in Africa, HIWA recently visited the IDP camp to share the joys of the seasons with the inmates.

When VM visited Ekan Primary School, Rim where some of the IDPs still reside, a widow, reminiscing on the past with tears said: “it is best to come home and stay.”

Mrs. Dachung was one of the 39 widows and many orphaned children who got food and clothing items from HIWA. With tears of joy flowing down her cheeks, she exclaimed, “it feels good that at least people think about us and remember us and our children in this season”.

However, being tired of sleeping in the colds with scanty food,some of those whose houses are still standing, summoned courage to return home. Some of them were magnanimous to accommodate those who have no place to lay their heads.

“I thank all the people who have been visiting us especially HIWA which brought things for us and our children to celebrate the season with. I just pray these people will allow us to pick the pieces of our lives and stay in peace,” he said.

HIWA visited the Rim community as well as the Zang Commercial School, Bukuru IDP camp where the Stefanos Foundation is taking care of displaced persons from states in the troubled North East region of the country.

Consoling the victims, the President and Founder of HIWA, Mrs. Naomi Olorundare urged them to be thankful to God because they are still alive. “When there is life, there is hope,” she said. She tasked the women and children not to lose hope but trust in God that the challenges will one day be over.

Mrs Olorundare called on other public spirited individuals to hearken to the cry of the IDPs and give the little they have as it will go a long way in ameliorating the plights of the people.

Items donated at the camps included foodstuff, toiletries, clothing and shoes for women and children.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Mwagwong Pam and Simon Musa appreciated the organisation for their kind gesture and solicited for more assistance to empower the people to fend for themselves.

They urged government at all levels to do whatever it takes, “to bring the insurgency turning Nigerians into refugees in their country to an end.”

Meanwhile, some of the returnees have expressed their determination to spend the Christmas in the homeland. They told VF that they have put their trust in God to guarantee their safety during the festive season.