The Benue State Government has commenced the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the June 2025 attacks in Yelewata, following the mobilisation of N1.25 billion in donations from public and private sector contributors.
Announcing the move at a press conference in Makurdi on Monday, the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, said the funds were being deployed under a structured framework to support victims of violent attacks across the state, not only those from Yelewata.
Aber, who also sits on the state’s technical committee on IDP donations, said the committee had achieved over 85 per cent of its mandate. She disclosed that the donations came from Oluremi Tinubu (N1 billion), Nasarawa State Government (N150 million), United Bank for Africa (N100 million) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (N25 million), bringing the total to N1.275 billion.
She said Governor Hyacinth Alia constituted the committee to ensure transparent and needs-based utilisation of the funds, covering food, health, shelter, education, livelihoods, water, security and resettlement.
According to Aber, allocations include N224 million for food and nutrition, N277 million for resettlement, N148 million for education, N125 million for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), N112 million for health, and N56 million each for cash transfers, security and agriculture. Additional funds were set aside for host communities, peace-building and reconciliation.
She said the state adopted a globally accepted resettlement model developed with international partners, aimed at relocating displaced persons close to their ancestral homes and farmlands to restore livelihoods and social stability.
Under the first phase, the government is constructing 60 housing units in Yelewata. Of these, 38 two-bedroom homes have reached roofing level, with several already roofed. “While 60 units cannot accommodate all IDPs, this reflects what the available funds can support at this stage,” Aber said.
She added that beneficiary mapping had been completed to ensure accurate targeting, noting that many displaced persons were living within host communities rather than formal camps.
As part of the intervention, 5,883 IDPs have been enrolled in the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme, with premiums paid to enable access to healthcare. Medical supplies have also been distributed, while education funds have delivered four new classrooms, textbooks and school bags for pupils in Yelewata.
Aber disclosed that water projects had been executed in affected communities and confirmed that the UNHCR is constructing a clinic in Yelewata.
She said the resettlement programme marks a shift from emergency response to medium- and long-term recovery, aimed at restoring dignity, livelihoods and normalcy to communities affected by violence in Benue State.
