For Immediate release…
Benue Flood Victims
support partners strongly condemns the attack on one of her volunteers at the
International Market Camp for the Internally Displaced Persons occasioned by
the recent Floods in Benue State.
It is no longer news that
yesterday Ukan Kurugh who since day one of the Camp opening has both being
volunteering to attend to the needs of the IDPs at the camp as well as using
his media platform to draw global attention to the ordeal was attacked. What
for us has become news is the lack of prompt attention given the mater by
security agencies in the state and the deafening silence from Benue State
Government and SEMA who have a direct responsibility for the camp.
The inhumane treatment
meted to Ukan Kurugh, causing him bodily harm could have been on any other
volunteer. We all have felt frustrated and vented same here and there, anyone
of us could be the next target for attack. It is therefore for safety of all of
us and in solidarity with one of our own that we regret to announce that we
have withdrawn our volunteers from the IDP camp.
This is no way to reward
or encourage noble citizen acts such as volunteerism. What lessons are we
leaving for the future and those who may feel the urge to help fellow human
beings in urgent need? That the attack was in broad day light and in clear view
of the security operatives present at the camp as the Governor was being
expected leaves more questions than answers. And that the Governor arrived the
camp moments later without ordering the arrest of the thugs who we can confirm
were still very much on the camp is yet another cause for worry. This ridicules
us all and we cannot be quiet on such an objectionable handling of the ordeal.
We are therefore calling
the Government of Benue State and the security agencies to bring the much
demanded justice to Ukan Kurugh and assuage our fears that ours has not become
a jungle where the strongest can devour the weak and vulnerable in a lawless
manner with impunity. We demand the chief security officer of Benue State to
condemn this dastard act in the strongest terms and order full scale
investigation that will bring the culprits to book.
Benue Flood Victims Support
partners will continue to deploy her interventions on another level pending
when the security concerns in the camp are sufficiently addressed. Whilst doing
that, our resolve is to continue to Stand with Ukan Kurugh until justice is
served.
We call on the public and
our charitable partners to continue to support the Benue Flood Victims in any
way they can.
Signed:
Benue Flood Victims
Support Partners
1. Community Links
2. LEADBenue
3. VATIM
4. #ICareForIDPs
5. AIT
6. TY Danjuma Foundation
7. Sterling Bank
8. Kasajene
9. Rendra Foundation
10. Environment and
Safety Management Institute
11. Environment, Gender
and Peace Building Initiative
12. Resource Conservation
Development Initiative
13. Let Us Help Out
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