From Scholastica Hir Makurdi
Members of Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State have appealed to the State Government to utilise the funds donated by governments and organisations after their community was attacked to support them to return to their normal lives.
The Community made this appeal on Thursday during a press conference led by their Leader, Matthew Mnyan.
Yelewata was attacked on June 13, 2025, by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia, and over 200 people were killed, while close to 4000 people were displaced and now squatting at an IDP camp in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
Nyam, who noted that it’s over 60 days after the incident, lamented the continued killings of his people even as those in the IDP camp have not returned.
He said, “In the light of the generous donations made by government officials, individuals and organisations, we hereby humbly appeal to the Benue State Government to utilise these funds to support our community in providing housing, economic empowerment, security and cash support.”
The community is appealing to the government to “Build at least 100 units of 2-bedroom flats to resettle the community and provide shelter for the displaced families, and rebuild our market that was burned down, to provide a platform for our people to engage in economic activities and rebuild their lives.
They also urged the government to establish a mobile police station to enhance security in the community and prevent future attacks.
They also asked that the government provide cash support to the victims to enable them to start small businesses and alleviate their suffering.
Mnyan said, “We believe that these initiatives will go a long way in bringing back the surviving
families together and closer to their homes. We urge the Benue State Government to consider our proposal and work towards making our community whole again.”
Reacting to the recent protest by women in the community, Mnyan said the community is not against the security people.
He recalled, “On the 13th of June, when the killings were going on, the soldiers were here; they never went, but the Police went. Maybe because that team had stayed here for so long.
“And then two days back, the armed herdsmen came again, shooting and killing people on their farms. The soldiers were here, patrolling on the road, the police went.
“But yesterday they brought new soldiers. There was shooting around the town, the soldiers went swiftly, and today you can see them going out. These new ones told everyone clearly that they are not here to sleep; they will always be out patrolling because they won’t allow people to be killed before they start running after the killers. We appreciate them.
“If the soldiers are doing that, we will sleep with our two eyes closed. So it is just because the former ones refused going out that the community started crying. We were only crying because the presence of soldiers give you confidence. Nobody is stronger than a soldier. Even a single soldier in a place gives you confidence. So that was why they protested, saying the soldiers were here and they are killing them.”
He further lamented that the displaced people who are in Makurdi are separated from their families, saying, “Most of them there have some small farms around their houses, but they cannot come closer. But if the government can create a place, build the housing units and bring them together, with the establishment of the Mobile Police post, our people will be safe.
“When the women are not around, the homes are not built. It is only the men who are here because they cannot keep their wives here; there is no food, nothing and security is also not guaranteed. It is only yesterday, August 13, that the new soldiers started what we feel they should be doing, and we will continue to appreciate them.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his wife, Governor Hyacinth Alia, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof James Ayatse, the Och’Idoma HRM Agabaidu John Elaigwu, security agencies, humanitarian organisations and individuals, sons, daughters of the state, friends and well-wishers, for their condolences and donations and for standing in solidarity with their community during their challenging time.
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