Over 4,200 IDPs Flee to Nasarawa After Benue Killings, Camps Overflow

Over 4,200 IDPs Flee to Nasarawa After Benue Killings, Camps Overflow

The humanitarian crisis following the recent violence in Yelwata, Benue State, has intensified as 4,253 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have now sought refuge in Nasarawa State, according to the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA).

The displaced persons, escaping renewed attacks in their communities, are now being housed across multiple camps in Obi Local Government Area as well as in Idadu and Kpata (Doma) and St. John Agyraragu in Lafia.

Speaking over the weekend in Lafia, NASEMA Director-General Benjamin Akwash confirmed the figures and revealed plans for relief efforts.

“The situation is that of an influx of internally displaced persons coming to Nasarawa State and the number keeps increasing.

As of Saturday, the figure at my disposal was 1,800 at St John Agyraragu, but now it is 1,852. Idadu and Kpata camps presently have 672 and 709.

I got information again from Obi camp that 1,020 IDPs have arrived there. Most of the people who relocated to the Kadarko camp have moved to other safer places because they feel Kadarko is no longer safe for them.

We have put deliberate and robust measures in place.

We are now at the point of procurement, in the coming few days, we will be able to purchase food and non-food items to distribute to them to lessen the hardship they are going through.”

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The influx is stretching resources in Nasarawa, raising urgent calls for coordinated humanitarian support and security reinforcement.

Authorities say the IDPs—comprising women, children, and the elderly—are in dire need of food, shelter and medical attention.

Relief materials are expected to begin arriving at the camps in the coming days, but state officials have urged both the federal government and humanitarian organizations to intervene swiftly.