The Nasarawa State Government said over 18,000 people had been displaced in Nasarawa State due to spillover of the killings in Benue.
Special Adviser to Governor Umaru Al-Makura on Security Matters, Mohammed Adeka, stated this at a news conference in Lafia.
The briefing had in attendance all the Security Chiefs in the state, the Tiv Development Association (TIDA) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), among others.
Adeka explained that the address to reporters followed a decision taken at the state expanded Security Council meeting that was chaired by the governor.
He added that reports showed that the spillover attacks in some communities of Benue had led to the displacement of so many people in the border towns between the two states.
According to Adeka, there were over 18,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from various communities of Awe and Keana Local Government Areas taking refuge in 11 camps in the state.
The security adviser said most of the IDPs were Tiv people, and that their communities were attacked by some unidentified miscreants.
He said that already security had been beefed up in the affected areas and the government had set up mobile clinics as well as distributed relief materials to the IDPs.
He assured residents that the government and the security agencies would do everything possible to arrest and prosecute the gunmen that were attacking innocent communities in the state.
Mr Boniface Iter, TIDA President blamed the killings of some Tiv people in some communities of Awe and Keana local governments on the activities of ‘Terrorist Group’’.
Mohammed Hussaini, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), said the Fulani and Tiv people in Nasarawa State were living peacefully.
He added that the Fulani in the state were determined to stay in peace and harmony with other tribes for the development of the state.