By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Traditional ruler and District Head of Nyiev in Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, Chief Benard Adawa has appealed to the Federal Government to assist and have the displaced victims of Yelewata attack back to the community.

The June 13 attack by armed herdsmen which claimed over 200 lives and left many hospitalised also led to the displacement of countless survivors including women and children who are currently taking refuge at the temporary Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp located at the Makurdi Ultra Modern International Market.

The Royal fathers made the appeal when the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev visited Yelewata community to commiserate with the people over the attack.

The District Head expressed displeasure that members of the community were living far away in IDPs camp instead of their ancestral home.

In his appeal to the Federal Government to have the displaced persons back home, the Royal Father said, “my message to the Federal Government is that they should try and bring our people back from IDP camp.

“Even if we are dying let us all die together. We are not pleased at all that we are separated from each other.

“Instead of government building a camp for the effected people, they should come and repair our people’s destroyed properties.”

On the purpose of his visit, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation said it was in response to the challenge the people of Yelewata were faced with adding that it was also to sympathise with the people and extend support to them.

He promised to help the people tackle their water needs and also support them with fertilisers, irrigation equipment and other inputs to enable them return to their farms.