The Benue State Government has begun the process of relocating Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the June 2025 Yelewata attacks.
This was made known on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Deborah Aber, during a media briefing in Makurdi.
Aber, who also chairs the “Technical Committee for the Donations for IDPs in Benue State,” revealed that the government has so far received a total of N1.275 billion in donations from four contributors.
According to her, the donors include Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who contributed N1 billion; the Nasarawa State Government with N150 million; United Bank for Africa with N100 million; and the Director General of the Department of State Services who donated N25 million.
She clarified that the funds were designated to assist all victims of violent attacks across the state, not solely those from Yelewata.
Aber explained that Governor Hyacinth Alia constituted the committee to ensure the transparent and effective use of the donations in addressing the precise needs of affected residents.
The committee, she said, carried out a comprehensive needs assessment covering food, healthcare, housing, education, water, and livelihoods.
She provided a breakdown of allocations as follows: N56 million for cash transfers; N224 million for nutrition and food; N28 million for shelter; N125 million for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); N56 million for security; N56 million for agriculture; N277 million for resettlement; and N112 million for healthcare.
Additional allocations include N16 million for peace and reconciliation initiatives, N127 million for host communities, and N148 million for education, among others.
“Working with our international partners, we came up with a model for resettlement that is acceptable worldwide.
“It seeks to settle people close to their locations in decent forms and houses close to their farms so they can continue with their livelihood.
“We have land earmarked for this purpose. We had an engagement to construct 60 homes for the displaced population in Yelwata.
“60 homes cannot accommodate the IDPs but that is what the funds can do. There 38 of those homes of 2 bedrooms at roofing stage, 3 out of the 38 roofed already altogether they are 45 only 5 have not reached roofing stage.
“The state with this model will start relocating its citizens to a more dignifying houses closer to their ancestral homes so that their lives can bear a semblance of normalcy,”she said.
Aber further disclosed that a detailed mapping of beneficiaries was conducted to ensure that assistance reached the intended recipients. She added that host communities were included in the data-gathering process, noting that many displaced persons are residing with families rather than in formal camps.
“We also realised that these needs had to scaled into medium and long term. All of that was done and wotk started immediately,”she said.
On healthcare interventions, she stated that medical supplies and drugs had been distributed, while 5,883 IDPs were enrolled into the Benue State Health Insurance Agency scheme. She noted that a premium of N10,000 was paid on behalf of each beneficiary to guarantee access to medical services.
The committee has also facilitated access to clean water in the affected communities.
Regarding education, Aber said funds allocated to the sector have been used to construct four classrooms in Yelwata, as well as provide textbooks and school bags for pupils.
“We are grateful to our partners as we speak UNHCR is buding a world class clinic in Yelewata,” she said, referencing support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
