Benue State Government Initiates Resettlement of Yelewata Attack Victims, Enrolls 5,883 IDPs in Health Scheme

The government of Benue State has commenced the process of resettling residents affected by the attack on Yelewata community, located in Guma Local Government Area, on June 14, 2025. This marks the initial phase of a plan to help displaced individuals return to their original homes.

Deborah Aber, the Secretary to the State Government, announced this development on Monday during a press briefing in Makurdi. Mrs. Aber, who also chairs the state's Technical Committee for Donations for Internally Displaced Persons, stated that the affected individuals are gradually returning to their communities under a structured resettlement program. This program was developed through collaboration between the state government and international partners.

The Yelewata incident was part of a broader wave of violence that impacted numerous local government areas across Benue State, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes.

Mrs. Aber reported that the state received a total of N1.27 billion in donations from four entities to aid victims of attacks throughout Benue. The contributors included the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who provided N1 billion; the Nasarawa State Government, which donated N150 million; United Bank for Africa, with N100 million; and the Director-General of the State Security Services, contributing N25 million.

She clarified that these funds are designated for all affected communities in the state, not exclusively for the victims of the Yelewata attack. According to Mrs. Aber, the committee has achieved over 85% of its objectives, and Governor Hyacinth Alia established the body to ensure transparency and efficient management of the donated funds.

The committee conducted a needs assessment covering essential areas such as food, health, shelter, education, livelihood support, and water supply. Mrs. Aber detailed the allocation of funds: N56 million for cash transfers, N224 million for nutrition and food, N125 million for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), N56 million for security, N56 million for agriculture, N277 million for resettlement efforts, and N112 million for health services.

An additional N16 million has been set aside for peace and reconciliation initiatives, N127 million for host communities, and N148 million for education. The education allocation has funded the construction of four classrooms in Yelewata and the provision of educational materials like textbooks and school bags for students.

Furthermore, Mrs. Aber revealed that 5,883 internally displaced persons have been enrolled in the Benue State Health Insurance Agency, with each person contributing N10,000 as a premium to access medical services. She also noted that water projects have been completed in some affected communities, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is currently building a clinic in Yelewata.

Explaining the government's resettlement strategy, Mrs. Aber stated that a model was developed in conjunction with international partners. This approach aims to relocate displaced persons to areas situated near their original settlements, providing them with decent housing close to their farms to facilitate the resumption of their livelihoods.

She mentioned that land has been designated for this project, and the construction of 60 two-bedroom houses for displaced families in Yelewata is underway. Thirty-eight of these houses are currently at the roofing stage, with three already fully roofed. Mrs. Aber acknowledged that the 60 units would not fully accommodate all displaced individuals from the area but explained that the current construction reflects the available funding at this stage.

She also pointed out that a beneficiary mapping exercise was carried out to ensure aid reached the intended recipients, noting that some displaced individuals are residing with host communities rather than in designated camps.

The state government's resettlement announcement follows a warning from Amnesty International earlier in the year regarding a potential humanitarian crisis in Benue.

In a statement dated July 10, 2025, titled “Nigeria: Violence and widespread displacement leave Benue facing a humanitarian disaster,” Amnesty International reported that approximately 510,182 internally displaced persons were housed in camps across the state by the end of 2024. The organization noted an increase in displacement in 2025 due to fresh attacks in Gwer West, Agatu, Ukum, Kwande, Logo, and Guma, including Yelewata.

Amnesty International described the living conditions in many camps as critical, citing issues such as overcrowding, insufficient sanitation, inadequate shelter, and limited access to essential resources like food, clean water, and healthcare. The organization highlighted that children and pregnant women were particularly vulnerable, with reports of births occurring in camps lacking proper hygiene facilities.

The human rights group's Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, stated at the time that authorities had consistently failed to protect residents and provide adequate humanitarian aid. He warned that the ongoing impunity for such attacks was contributing to the escalating insecurity.

Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to provide substantial relief, including shelter, food, water, sanitation, healthcare, and compensation for victims, and to implement measures to prevent future attacks.

While the Benue government is advancing its resettlement program to restore dignity and livelihoods, humanitarian organizations continue to emphasize the urgent need for sustained protection, accountability, and long-term support to address the extensive displacement crisis in the state.