By POLYCARP AUTA

The Plateau Youth Council (PYC), a socio-cultural group, says that no fewer than 15,000 persons are currently displaced in Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

Mr. Zang Davou, the Chairman of PYC in the LGA, said this during a press conference on Tuesday in Jos.

Davou attributed the rising number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the security challenges in the locality.

He also decried the spate of killings and wanton destruction of farmlands and other properties in the locality.

The chairman noted that the displaced persons are currently living under precarious conditions, with lack of shelter, food and other necessities of life.

“The pattern of attacks and killings has recently escalated to an unprecedented level of sophistication.

“Within the last one month, 58 people were brutally murdered in cold blood; these are fathers, mothers, children and youths.

“The recent surge of violence alone has displaced more than 15,000 people, who are now living under precarious conditions.

“They are in need of shelter, food and dignity,” he said.

Davou, who decried the rising incidences of land grabbing and economic sabotage in the locality, said that the attackers prevented the people from going to their farms.

He called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to intensify efforts toward addressing the resurgence of killings in the area.

He also called on relevant government agencies to provide immediate relief to the displaced persons and commence an aggressive resettlement plan.(NAN)