
Map of Benue State
By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi –
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State have started returning to their ancestral homes 14 years after they were sacked by herdsmen.
The IDPs from Tse AgbuCity , Anguhar in Tough Atee Injaha council ward and that of Tse -Aji, Agberagba ,Tse Chagu in Gbaange/Tongov and Mbachono council ward of Gwer West local government Area of Benue State have started returning to the villages.
The decision and enthusiasm to return to their homes followed the efforts of Chief Tarnongu Timothy Tiza, who had earlier reconstructed the long-abandoned Annue Agbu City and Kula Aguhar Tse Lagu and he was also constructing the Camp Nagi-Agberagba road to esse movement and full return of the IDPs in most parts of mbakyoudu and Sengev areas.
The philanthropist disclosed that his decision to embark on the road reconstruction was propelled by a personal desire to encourage the IDPs to return to their ancestral homes and rebuild their lives and provide better access for security patrols adding that he was interested in ensuring the safety of the returning IDPs in line with Governor Alias decision to return people back home as promised during his campaign.
He lamented that for a decade, the bad nature of roads in the the affected communities as they became death traps where herdsmen militia ambushed and attacked commuters.
Some IDPs including Agongu Eric and Ude Ukough expressed overwhelming gratitude, describing the reconstruction of the roads as the support of their governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia adding that relative peace has returned to the communities as poor road conditions that had left many villages inaccessible were being worked on for the benefit of the people.
Some victims including Mrs. Francis Chia and other returnees called on the government and well-meaning individuals to step in and help rebuild critical infrastructure like homes, schools, and hospitals, to enable the community to fully resettle and rebuild their lives.
The paramount ruler of the Tyoshin, the Ter Tyoshin Chief Daniel Abomtse said over thirteen years, these IDPs were unable to set their foot on their ancestral homes as they lost over 577 relatives in 141 violent attacks on Gwer West local government alone which began on the February 8, 2011.
The technical adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Media Publicity and Strategic Communications, Chief Solomon Iorpev who led government delegation to the area said Governor Alia’s homegrown security approach was yielding results with the deployment of the civil protection guards and Anyam Nyor to volatile communities insisting that it would facilitate safe resettlements of the IDPs and restore their hope and build confidence and livelihood.