Following the recent attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, hundreds of families have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge at the temporary Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp set up at the Makurdi Ultra Modern International Market.

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) revealed that the camp is currently home to over 5,200 people, including 380 pregnant women and a staggering 2,536 children. The camp also accommodates 233 elderly women and 181 elderly men, highlighting the wide impact of the violence on the most vulnerable groups.

Speaking to reporters in Makurdi, the camp manager, Robert Nyom, explained that more than 2,336 households have been officially registered at the camp.

Nyom dismissed rumours that children from the camp were being handed out for care without proper process. He stressed that there is a laid-down procedure for such actions, and so far, BSEMA has not received any request from anyone to that effect.

On the question of returning the displaced people to their homes in Yelewata, Nyom said the government is fully committed to ensuring their safety, security, and well-being before any move is made to facilitate their return.

“For now, the camp remains open and there are no immediate plans to evacuate the IDPs back to their community,” he said, urging families eager to go back home to be patient while the government makes adequate preparations.

Nyom also acknowledged the role of the Benue State Government, charitable individuals, and organizations in supporting the camp with food and essential supplies. However, he pointed out that the needs are still huge and more assistance is required to ensure all displaced persons are properly cared for.

As the crisis lingers, many hope that lasting peace will be restored so families can safely return to their ancestral homes and rebuild their lives.