Displaced persons from Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State have protested poor living conditions at their temporary camp in Makurdi following recent attacks by suspected armed herders.

 

The internally displaced persons (IDPs), currently camped at the International Market along George Akume Way in Makurdi, blocked major entrances to the facility on Thursday in a demonstration against what they described as inhumane treatment and neglect.

 

The protesters accused government officials overseeing camp management of diverting relief materials donated by public-spirited individuals and humanitarian organizations.

 

One of the IDPs, Fidelis Igban, expressed frustration over severe starvation and the poor sanitary conditions within the camp.

 

“Imagine people coming here to donate food and other essential items, but as soon as they hand them over to the camp officials, we never see any of it,” he said. “Just a few days ago, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, brought relief items, but we haven’t received anything. The same happened when Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis Church came with donations.”

 

Igban lamented that many in the camp had fled their homes after losing loved ones in herdsmen attacks, only to face another wave of hardship and suffering in the camp.

 

“There’s no food, our children are starving, we sleep on bare floors, and mosquitoes are tormenting us. People are dying slowly. This place is a death trap,” he said.

 

Another IDP, Erdoo Targa, who is six months pregnant, decried the absence of medical care.

 

“There is no medical attention here. Government brought us here and abandoned us. We are starving, and our children are falling ill. This protest is our only way to let the world know we are suffering,” she said.

 

Targa appealed to the Benue State Government and humanitarian agencies to urgently investigate the alleged diversion of relief items and ensure fair and transparent distribution of aid.

 

Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Aondoaseer Kude, and the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. James Iorpuu, were unsuccessful as they did not respond to calls or messages.

 

Meanwhile, SEMA’s Information Officer, Tema Ager, declined to comment on the protest, stating, “Please contact the Head of Administration of SEMA or the Commissioner. They are in a better position to address the media.”