The atmosphere was charged with sorrow, bitterness and tears as Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, Monday, visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Erena in Shiroro Local Government Area.
At least 2, 400 persons from eight communities were taking refuge in Central Primary School, Erena following incessant banditry attack in that area.
The incident has led to the death of about 37 people while more than 20 sustained various degree of injuries and are receiving treatment at the camp.
Governor Sani Bello, who visited the camp in Erena, expressed sorrow over the attack and extended his sympathy to the families of the dead and the injured.
He stated that government was taking urgent steps towards tackling the fatal banditry attacks added that security in the affected areas has been reinforced and strengthened to subdue the bandits and give the IDPs opportunity to return to their deserted communities.
The Governor, however, directed the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to sustain the succour and relief provided to the displaced persons taking refuge in Erena.
Governor Sani Bello reassured Nigerlites that his administration remains committed to securing the lives and properties of the citizens. He also commended the joint Military taskforce for the prompt intervention.
He called on people in all the affected communities to collaborate with and assist the security agencies with relevant information and intelligence for more effective operations.
Earlier, the acting Director General of NSEMA, Abdulsalam Tanko Mohammed Zumba said the state government has provided food and non-food items worth thousands of naira to the IDPs.
