Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Yelwata massacre in Benue State staged a protest in Makurdi on Thursday, decrying worsening conditions in their camp. They cited acute hunger, neglect, and the alleged diversion of relief materials donated for their welfare.
The demonstrators blocked the busy road near Makurdi International Market, resulting in significant traffic disruptions as they called on the government for urgent intervention and accountability from aid agencies.
According to the protesters, at least two people have died recently in the camp due to starvation and poor living conditions.
Some of the IDPs claimed that food supplies and mattresses, reportedly donated by the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche never reached them.
A female protester holding up a placard said, “There’s no food, our children are starving, we sleep on the floor, and mosquitoes are almost killing us. We are suffering, and people are dying.”
The protesters accused camp officials of hoarding and potentially diverting relief items meant for the displaced families.
They appealed to the Benue State Government and relevant humanitarian bodies to investigate the allegations and ensure that aid distribution is conducted transparently and fairly.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been released by government authorities regarding the protest or the claims made by the IDPs.
