The Irigwe Development Association, IDA, Women Wing said that the attacks that have befallen the Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa LGA of Plateau State in the last few years have left 452 widows.
They also said 1,788 women lost their means of livelihood as a result of attacks that bedeviled the chiefdom over the years.
Adding that 8,744 children have been left orphans, and 490 people lost their breadwinners as a result of the security challenges that bedeviled the chiefdom.
President of the IDA Women Wing, Mrs. Mary Dickphar, made this statement while speaking at the maiden edition of “Out Mburu Rigwe” (Irigwe Women’s Day), in commemoration of International Women’s Day, held in Miango, Bassa LGA of the state.
She said, “On assumption of office in May 2024, we conducted a survey and assessment of the situation and came out with the following:
“Widows whose husbands were killed during attacks are 452, while the total number of widows in the chiefdom is 1,752.
“Women who lost their means of livelihood are 1,788, while orphans as a result of the attacks are 8,744.
“While those who lost their breadwinners are 490,” she maintained.
Speaking further, Dickphar said, “These statistics are alarming; they give the leadership of IDA Women Wing sleepless nights.
“Therefore, the leadership of IDA Women Wing is appealing to well-meaning individuals and organisations to come to our rescue,” she appealed.
