Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Guma local government area of Benue state and their information needs

Recently, 1st of January, 2018 to be precise, communities in Guma local government area of Benue state, Nigeria were attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen thereby forcing them to abandon their ancestral homes and livelihoods. The displaced lost their social, legal and economic ties and thus suffered considerable physical and psychological hardships. Attempts were being made by the combined assistance of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the state government and spirited individuals to address their food, shelter and water needs however, it was not certain if the information needs which, is measured as the fifth of the human needs in ranking with air, water, food and shelter has been identified and addressed. The crux of the study therefore, is to ascertain the information needs of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Guma local government area of Benue state and how to meet the needs. One thousand (1000) displaced persons from seven IDPs camps were randomly selected for the study. Descriptive and evaluative survey research designs were adopted for the study while oral interview was used to collect data for the study. The data collected were analysed using statistical descriptive tools such as tables, simple frequencies and percentages. The findings from the study revealed that the IDPs' greatest information needs among other things included information needs on: water supply, food supply, healthcare, the where about of their loved ones, when to go back home to reintegrate with their families and the Governments' efforts to end the crisis. The study further revealed that majority of the IDPs are illiterates and their major sources of information are basically the churches and Public gatherings. In addition, the paper attempted to offer measures on how to meet their information needs.