NAN

The Nasarawa State Government said over 18,000 people have been displaced in Nasarawa State due to spillover of the killings in Benue.

The Special Adviser to Governor Umaru Al-Makura on Security Matters, Mohammed Adeka, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Lafia.

The briefing had in attendance all security chiefs in the state, the Tiv Development Association (TIDA) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), among other stakeholders, NAN reports.

Adeka explained that the address to the press followed a decision taken at the state expanded Security Council meeting that was chaired by the Governor.

He added that reports showed that the spillover attacks in some communities of Benue had led to the displacement of many people in the border towns between the two States.

According to Adeka, there are currently over 18,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from various communities of Awe and Keana Local Government Areas taking refuge in 11 camps in the state.

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The security adviser said that most of the IDPs were of Tiv ethnicity, and that their communities was attacked by unidentified miscreants.

He said that security has been enhanced in the affected areas and that government has set up mobile clinics as well as distributed relief materials to the displaced.

He assured that government and the security agencies would do everything possible to arrest and prosecute the gunmen responsible for attacking innocent communities in the state.

Mr. Boniface Iter, TIDA President in state, blamed the killings of some Tiv people in some communities of Awe and Keana LGAs on the activities of a ‘terrorist group’’.

Mohammed Hussaini, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), said that Fulanisand Tiv people in Nasarawa State are living in peace.

He added that the Fulanis in the state are determined to remain peaceful and in harmony with other tribes for the development of the state.