5,000 Victims of Jos Crises Resettled in Bauchi

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said yesterday that about 5000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the crises in Jos have been absorbed into Bauchi State following the launch of a resettlement programme between the agency and the Bauchi State government. Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi said that majority of them are victims of the crises that erupted in Jos, Plateau State between January and March 2010 where over 10, 000 of the displaced persons crossed over to the neighboring Bauchi State.

Sani-Sidi noted that some of the displaced persons had returned back to their homes while those being resettled have opted to remain permanently in Bauchi State.

A statement singed by Yushau A. Shuaib NEMA Head Press and Public relations, stated that Sidi who was represented at the Launch of the Resettlement programme by the Director of Administration Dr Zanna Muhammad said after the initial relief intervention, the agency and Bauchi State government decided to embark on the resettlement programme following the request of the IDPs to permanently settle in Bauchi.

While urging Nigerians to learn to live together in peace and to resolve their differences through dialogues rather than from violent confrontations, Sani-Sidi commended the Bauchi State government for the absorption of the IDPs and assistance provided towards their permanent resettlement in the state.

In his remark, the state commissioner for local government affairs Alhaji Idris Halilu who represented the governor said a total of 748 plots of land have been allocated to the IDPS for resettlement in Lere Community of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.

While thanking NEMA for the collaboration toward the success of the programme, the state government appealed for more assistance to resettle other IDPs who have also indicated same interest to permanently remain in the state.

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