NEMA distributes relief materials to 272 deportees from Niger Republic

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday in Ibi, Taraba, distributed relief materials to 272 Nigerians deported from Niger Republic.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the materials were distributed to the deportees and also to victims of insurgency at the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in the area.

Alhaji Muhammed Sani-Sidi, NEMA Director-General, presented the materials to the IDPs in Ibi on behalf of the Federal Government.

Sani-Sidi told the victims that Federal Government was committed to ensuring that peace returned to all warring communities across the country to enable them settle in their various villages.

He thanked the people of the Ibi for hosting the deportees, an urged them to continue with the gesture because government was taking necessary steps to resettle all affected persons.

Represented by NEMA’s Head of Gombe Operations Office, Alhaji Saidu Mini, the director-general urged the people to forgive one another and eschew violence for a better Nigeria.

He said the distribution of relief materials was not a compensation for their losses but government’s effort toward alleviating their sufferings.

“The relief materials are just a temporary measure to relieve your suffering, pending when government will complete its war against insurgents and other criminals,’’ he said.

In his comments, Mr Douglas Dogara, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), urged the IDPs to cooperate with government in finding lasting solutions to crisis in their communities.

Alhaji Iliya Muhammed, the Caretaker Chairman of Ibi, thanked NEMA for promptly responding to the plight of his people.

Muhammed appealed to the Federal and state government to expedite action on resettling the deportees and other displaced persons.

Mr John Sabo, one of the deportees told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he had lived in Niger Republic for over 20 years.

Sabo said he was deported four months ago by the Niger government due to the activities of Boko Haram sect, which originated from his home country, Nigeria.

NAN reports that Items distributed included 100 bags of rice, 100 bags of maize, 300 pieces of mosquito nets, 100 bundles of roofing sheets, 150 pieces of mattresses, 200 pieces of ceiling board, among others.