Over 3,000 survivors of the Yelewata massacre are refusing to return to their ancestral homes, citing persistent insecurity and trauma. The displaced persons, currently sheltered at the International Market IDP camp in Makurdi, have staged protests rejecting government and traditional leaders’ calls for relocation.
The survivors—many of whom lost family members in the June 13, 2025, attack that claimed over 200 lives—say they still hear sporadic gunfire and receive threats from suspected armed herdsmen. “We watched our families burned alive,” one grieving mother told reporters during a protest at the camp gate.
Despite earlier plans by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) to begin a phased return, the initiative was suspended after the IDPs insisted they were not consulted and that the area remains unsafe. Recent killings of civilians and police officers in nearby communities like Ukohol and Udei have only deepened their fears.
The IDPs are demanding:
- Verified and sustained security presence in Yelewata and surrounding areas
- Access to trauma counseling and healing services
- A voluntary, gradual reintegration process based on safety and readiness
Civil society groups, including the Benue Humanitarian Network, have backed the IDPs’ stance, urging the government to prioritize dialogue and protection over forced relocation.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the camp continues to swell with new arrivals, and concerns grow over overcrowding, aid diversion, and infiltration by non-survivors. The state government has yet to issue a definitive plan for long-term resettlement.
