Benue State launches return plan for Yelewata victims, disburses N1.27bn in support funds

The Benue State Government has commenced the relocation and reintegration of residents displaced by the June 2025 attacks on Yelewata, marking a major step toward restoring affected communities.

Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Deborah Aber, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Makurdi, confirming that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) had begun returning home.

Aber, who also chairs the Technical Committee for Donations for IDPs in Benue, revealed that the state received a total of N1.27 billion in donations from four contributors. According to her, the intervention fund is designed to assist all victims of attacks across the state, not just those from Yelewata.

She identified the donors as Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (N1 billion), the Nasarawa State Government (N150 million), United Bank for Africa (N100 million), and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (N25 million).

Aber stated that the committee had already achieved over 85 per cent of its mandate, explaining that Governor Hyacinth Alia constituted the body to guarantee transparency and effective deployment of the funds.

She said the committee conducted a broad needs assessment spanning food, healthcare, shelter, education, livelihood support and water.

A breakdown of allocations showed that N56 million was set aside 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; and N112 million for health services.

Additionally, N16 million was earmarked for peace and reconciliation initiatives; N127 million for host communities; and N148 million for education-related interventions.

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“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 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 Yelewata.

“The 60 homes cannot accommodate the IDPs, but that is what the funds can do. Thirty-eight out of the 60 two-bedroom homes are at the roofing stage, with three already roofed.

“The state, with this model, will start relocating its citizens to more dignified houses closer to their ancestral homes so that their lives can bear a semblance of normalcy,” she said.

Aber further explained that authorities carried out a comprehensive mapping of beneficiaries to ensure accurate data collection and proper targeting of support. She noted that host communities were involved in the process, particularly in areas where displaced persons were staying with relatives rather than in formal camps.

She also disclosed that 5,883 IDPs had been enrolled into the Benue State Health Insurance Agency, with the government paying a N10,000 premium per person to guarantee access to medical services. Water supply interventions have also been extended to some affected communities.

“Funds earmarked for education have been used to build four classrooms in Yelewata and provide textbooks and school bags for the pupils.

“We are grateful to our partners; as we speak, UNHCR is building a world-class clinic in Yelewata,” she said.

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