The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, with support from international humanitarian organisation Barnabas Aid, has distributed food items worth millions of naira to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in Mangu and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau State.
The intervention, which targets more than 1,000 households affected by recurring violent attacks in the state, is aimed at easing the hardship faced by vulnerable families who have been displaced from their homes. Each household received half a bag of rice, a quarter bag each of garri, beans and maize, as well as vegetable oil, palm oil, salt, sugar, seasoning cubes and other cooking condiments.
During the distribution exercise at the St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church IDP camp in Bokkos, victims of the Christmas Eve attacks of December 24, 2023, recounted the devastating impact of the violence on their lives and communities.
One of the beneficiaries, Pastor Gideon Dawa of the Classical Presbyterian Church, Bar community, said he lost his pregnant wife and five children when armed attackers invaded his community.
“I stepped out briefly to buy some items. While I was away, the attackers came. My pregnant wife and five children were killed, and everything I owned was burnt to ashes,” he said.
Pastor Dawa lamented that despite his ordeal, he had not received personal support from the Plateau State Government, adding that his appearance at a government function did not translate into tangible assistance.
Another beneficiary, 41-year-old Nanfwang Johnson, who spoke on behalf of Persons Living With Disabilities, said his family house was burnt during one of the attacks in Mangu.
He commended Northern CAN and Barnabas Aid for remembering vulnerable groups, noting that the support would help ease their suffering.The Parish Priest of St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Paul Watpe, disclosed that the church is currently hosting about 9,840 IDPs across 3,210 households.
He said although organisations such as UNICEF and the Bokkos Local Government Area had previously provided support, the needs of displaced persons remain overwhelming.
“For some time, we received little or no assistance, and it was becoming difficult to sustain the care of these people. This intervention by Northern CAN and Barnabas Aid has brought great relief,” he stated.
Speaking at separate distribution points in ECWA Church, Mangu, and St. Thomas Apostle Church, Bokkos, Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said the humanitarian support from Barnabas Aid covers five states — Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Ondo and Borno.According to him, 1,000 households are being targeted in each state, with each household receiving nine essential food items.
He stressed that the intervention prioritises the most vulnerable, including PLWDs, to assure them that they have not been forgotten.Rev. Hayab also called on political leaders to place the protection of lives and property above all considerations, regardless of religious or ethnic differences.
“The killing of people and destruction of communities under any guise is wrong and must be condemned. Citizens deserve to be protected,” he said.
He further appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to support distressed communities, warning that prolonged hardship and insecurity could deepen frustration across the country.
He also criticised the politicisation of relief materials, urging that humanitarian assistance be delivered with dignity.Also speaking, Secretary-General of the Bokkos Community Development Association (BCDA), Zaka Akos, commended Northern CAN and Barnabas Aid for selecting Mangu and Bokkos as beneficiaries.
He noted that many victims had suffered repeated attacks, resulting in the loss of loved ones and property.“Some people lost husbands, wives, children and everything they laboured for. Their lives were destroyed overnight“.
The distribution exercise is continuing across the two local government areas, providing temporary relief to thousands of displaced residents still struggling to recover from the aftermath of violent attacks.
