Makurdi, July 8, 2025 — Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State have rejected the state government’s call to return to their ancestral communities, citing ongoing security threats and fear of renewed attacks by armed herders and criminal gangs.
The IDPs, many of whom have spent years in temporary camps across the state, voiced their concerns during separate interactions with humanitarian agencies and government officials, noting that the situation in their villages remains volatile and unsafe for resettlement.
Speaking on behalf of the displaced persons at the Ortese IDP camp in Guma Local Government Area, Mr. Terna Iorbee said, “We want to go home, but we don’t want to go and die. Our homes are still unsafe. Some of the villages have been taken over, and we hear of attacks almost weekly.”
This rejection comes days after Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia reiterated his administration’s commitment to returning displaced residents to their homes, with promises of reconstruction support and enhanced security.
However, the IDPs are demanding visible federal intervention, including the deployment of more security personnel, disarmament of armed groups, and guaranteed safety before considering resettlement.
In response, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, appealed for patience, assuring the IDPs that the government is working with security agencies to stabilize affected areas.
The UNHCR and other humanitarian groups working in the state have also expressed concern over the slow pace of rehabilitation and the growing frustration among the displaced population.
Benue State remains one of the worst-hit by the long-running farmer-herder conflict, which has displaced over one million residents since 2018.
