National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, on Wednesday began the screening of hundreds of refugees that fled Boko Haram attack in Bosso, Niger Republic.
National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, on Wednesday began the screening of hundreds of refugees that fled Boko Haram attack in Bosso, Niger Republic.
Some Nigeriens and Nigerians living in the Nigerien border town with Nigeria, had fled the insurgency attack on the town about a week ago to villages in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Speaking to journalists, the field coordinator of NEMA in Yobe State, Mohammed Abubakar said the screening and profiling of the refugees and the displaced people will last three days.
He revealed to journalists in Geidam that the agency has so far registered over 5000 refugees including IDPs. He added that about 100 malnourished children were also captured in the exercise.
When our correspondent visited Geidam thousands of displaced persons were seen sleeping in the open including motor parks and primary schools under extreme difficult situation.
It was gathered that the attack on Bosso created panic along the Niger/Nigeria border in the Northeast with many people displaced from Kannama, Abadam, Demasak, Kareto areas of Yobe and Borno states.
Also discovered were refugees from Diffa and Bosso in the Republic of Niger.
Speaking to journalists, the NEMA field coordinator said “we were sent down to assess the exact number of people displaced by Boko Haram in Bosso, Diffa in Niger Republic, and Kanamma town in Yunusari local government area of Yobe state.
“We are here base on the directives of Mr. President to assess their exact number, and forward recommendation for relief assistance and succour to the displaced persons.”
He however said that in the interim, immediate palliative of food items were brought and would be distributed to ease the fasting difficulties, while the main intervention is on the way.
Items distributed includes 25 bags of rice, 25 bags of sugar, 20 cartons of milk, 20 cartons of beverage, 20 cartons of noodles and Nylon mats.
Speaking on the number of people screened, Abubakar said, “we have so far registered up to 5000 people including women, children and adult. There is the possibility that the number will go up because today is just our second day in Geidam and we are carrying out this exercise for three days.
One significant thing I have observed is the high number of malnourished children. Their conditions are critically and intervention has to be timely for this people,” he said