The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to the Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River.

The gesture came after appeals by Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River for assistance, as care for the displaced persons was eating deep into the economy of the state.

The relief materials distributed by NEMA included mattresses, bags of rice and beans, oil, toiletries, blankets, buckets and other sundry items.

Presenting the materials at the Utanga’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Obanliku, the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Sami Sidi, described the scenario as pathetic, requiring urgent humanitarian intervention.

Sidi, who was represented by the Deputy Director (Relief), Mr Michael Adeyanju, said that it was worrisome to have such a massive movement of Nigerians under an unpalatable condition.

The director-general said that the displacement was caused by man-made frictions following communal clashes between two Nigerian communities.

He also observed that the upkeep of the displaced persons had negatively positioned both the state and the host communities in an unbearable economic frustration resulting in the intervention.

Sidi said that it was a matter of regret that such unhealthy development could not be nipped in the bud before its escalation to the present level.

He appealed to all agencies involved in crisis management to re-assess their performance so as to be able to guarantee peace and harmony in the country.

He said that it was his hope that the prompt humanitarian gesture of the state government, which had reduced tension would be sustained.

Sidi said that efforts were being made to urgently resolve the crisis and return the IDPs back to their home in Katsina-Ala in Benue.

He also lauded Imoke for his dexterity in crisis management and applauded the host community for their receptive and hospitable disposition.

He appealed to the host community not to be tired of displaying their humanitarian spirit as the Federal Government appreciated their efforts.

In his reaction, Mr Vincent Aquah, the Zonal Coordinator, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said that the relief materials would go a long way in cushioning the effect of the mass exodus of herdsmen.

Aquah, who was represented by SEMA’s Disaster Assessor, Miss Peggy Inyang, described the prompt response of NEMA to the plight of the IDPs in the state as apt and commendable.

He restated that the facilities of the host communities had been stressed beyond the coping capacity of the indigenes who are about 90 per cent farmers.

He said that almost all the arable land is being grazed by cattle rearers, who fled to the area, thereby hindering farmers from cultivating their crops.

Aquah said that the farmers, were, under the circumstance displaced, which foretells future starvation and general want as planting of crops this year is heavily hampered.

He, therefore, appealed for an urgent resolution of the crisis in Benue to enable the herdsmen return in harmony and peace.

Aquah also said that Imoke had remained very passionate in handling the exodus of the Fulani herdsmen into the communities without prior notice.

Also speaking, Mr Benjamin Ambe, Chairman, Obanliku Local Government Area, commended the Federal Government for its prompt response to the plight of the people.

Responding on behalf of the IDPs, Alhaji Wahilishi Abdulahi, their spokesman, said their condition was pathetic, and hoped that peace would soon return so that they could go back to Katsina-Ala.

Abdulahi appealed to Nigerians to see their profession as contributory to the economy of the country and called for understanding.