Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde has dismissed allegations of locking the gates of the Internally Displaced Persons,IDPs, camp in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
He explained that the camp gate was temporarily locked to allow proper verification of authentic IDPs.
“These are mostly youths from the host community. Ask them for their IDP cards, and they cannot show any. We have observed how they infiltrate the camp to cause disorder.
“Some of the women are market traders who enter, collect relief materials meant for IDPs, and take them away.
“Yesterday, when attention was given to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, others borrowed children to impersonate and receive aid.”
Kunde added, “You’re displaced; you should have nowhere else to go. Some claim they stepped out to bathe or sleep elsewhere. How can you call yourself an IDP if you return to your comfort and only show up for rations?”
On the claim that Guinness World Record Cook -a – thon participant, Chef Victor Tartenger was beaten in his presence, Kunde responded: “I don’t even know the man personally. He arrived, quarreled with the police, and I had to intervene. I called him aside and told him to calm down.
“He had cooked for the IDPs yesterday, and I personally ushered him into the camp.”
Kunde further explained that the issue escalated when Tartenger allegedly told security operatives to “go and fight armed herders in Yelwata.”
According to him, that remark infuriated the officers. “His female colleague who cooked with him yesterday was allowed into the camp. She is inside. People are quick to jump to conclusions because Facebook is free.”
He said measures are in place to ensure that only genuine IDPs benefit from relief materials.
“The governor is committed to the welfare of displaced persons, but we will not allow opportunists to exploit the situation.”
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