PLATEAU MASSACRE: FG Commences Deployment Of Relief Materials To Affected Communities ...... As Humanitarian Affairs Ministry Partner Military, State Government

Gov. Muftwang, Betta Edu, Defence Minister (State) and Military Heads at the commencement of the deployment of humanitarian and relief materials to survivors of the Christmas Eve attack on communities in Plateau state.

"Durable solutions will be provided while we rebuild to help them return to their ancestral homes." Dr. Betta Edu

Communities in Plateau state that were affected by the recent attack by armed gunmen have been assured of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment in ensuring of a lasting solution in terms of security and resettlement of people in the state.

This assurance was from the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry, Dr. Betta Edu during a visit to the state, alongside her counterpart from the Ministry of Defence.

This is as the Federal Government commenced the immediate deployment of food and non-food relief materials to communities and survivors affected by the Christmas Eve attacks by marauding gunmen in Plateau state through her Ministry.

Speaking with newsmen in Jos, the Plateau state capital, Dr Edu said humanitarian response would be made available almost immediately in line with the Presidential Directive.

According to her, "Durable solutions will be provided while we rebuild to help them return to their ancestral homes."

The Minister, who visited affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment of the affected area with her counterpart from the Ministry of Defence and Service Chiefs was on the ground to coordinate Humanitarian Responses.

She also visited churches and some IDP camps where she observed one minute silence for the dead and addressed  worshippers and victims who are taking refuge for protections after the attacks. 

She assured them of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to bring lasting solutions in terms of security and resettlement of people resident in the state. 

She said humanitarian response would be made available almost immediately in line with the presidential directive, stating that "Durable solutions will be provided while we rebuild to help them return to their ancestral homes.

The Minister also said her Ministry will partner with the Nigerian Military and the Plateau State Government for onward  distribution of the relief materials items.

Dr Betta said, "The President has asked us to come to Plateau state to see what was on the ground, he has also directed the immediate deployment of relief materials including food items like Rice, Grains, vegetable oil and non-food items like mattresses, clothes, Blankets  among others, as well as other personal effects they will need while we plan for more durable solutions to their needs to enable them go back to their ancestral homes.

It could be recalled that about 107 persons were massacred in about 15 communities in Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau state by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in coordinated attacks on Christmas Eve.

The gunmen also set not fewer than 100 houses ablaze during the horrendous attacks, a development that welcomed condemnation across the globe.

The Minister of State Defense, Muhammed Bello Matawalle, during the visit in the company of the three service chiefs, including Airforce, Army, and Navy, assured the people and Government of Plateau of protections.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who received the two Ministers and the Service Chiefs, had earlier briefed them in a closed door meeting about the security situation in the state.