The Benue State Government on Thursday officially launched the construction of permanent housing for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area, marking a major step toward restoring dignity and stability for families uprooted by the June 13, 2025 attack.
Speaking during the event, Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, acknowledged the significant support from the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose ₦1 billion intervention, along with contributions from Nasarawa State, United Bank for Africa, the Department of State Services, and other partners, provided critical relief and hope.
“The tragedy that struck Yelewata left many dead, homes destroyed, and entire families displaced,” the Governor said. “Today’s flag-off is not just symbolic; it is a concrete demonstration of our resolve to heal, rebuild, and resettle our people with safety and dignity.”
The Governor disclosed that, to coordinate aid, a Technical Committee chaired by Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Deborah Aber, was formed. Since its inaugural meeting on August 19, 2025, the committee has engaged IDP leaders and compiled a comprehensive blueprint covering food, nutrition, shelter, water, sanitation, cash transfers, education, agriculture, peace and security, and resettlement housing. He noted that several of the interventions are already underway, stressing that the housing project, designed to meet global resettlement standards, will provide durable, safe homes, enabling displaced persons to transition from temporary camps to permanent communities.
“Beyond shelter, this initiative restores belonging and signals our commitment to move from displacement to productivity,” he added. “We are putting in place modalities for safe, organized, and dignified return to ancestral homes as security improves.”
Governor Alia expressed gratitude to all partners, security agencies, host communities, and individuals whose resources and goodwill have sustained the response effort. “As we break ground today, let it remind us that peace is possible, recovery achievable, and a brighter future awaits Yelewata, Guma, and all of Benue State,” he concluded.
In her welcome remarks, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Deborah Aber, announced that a one-billion-naira donation had been received from the First Lady of the country, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to support the needs of displaced persons in the state. She added that other donations were also received from various individuals and organizations, including United Bank for Africa (UBA), and acknowledged the support of security agencies such as the Department of State Services.
Barrister Aber expressed her gratitude to Governor Alia for having previously set up a committee tasked with overseeing the proper and exclusive use of the donated funds. She noted that, following the committee’s formation, they immediately began engaging with representatives of all displaced persons throughout the state to gain a clear understanding of their needs.
“At the initial stage, we took notes and identified priority areas for intervention, with Yelewata community being given priority attention due to the recent attack,” she said. Barrister Aber disclosed that they had a robust and elaborate committee that included international organizations intervening in the state, which helped them come up with the best way forward.
She said the flag-off is for 62 units of two-bedroom resettlement housing for the initial phase, in line with international best practices. She explained that since displaced persons cannot return immediately to their ancestral homes due to security challenges, they can live in decent homes close to their communities. She acknowledged the engagement with the Chairman of Guma Local Government, who graciously allocated land for the houses
The SSG expressed optimism that this was just the beginning, as many more interventions will come to areas with large displaced populations. She expressed gladness that eventually, displaced persons will have shelter, assuring that the houses will be completed within a record time.
On his part, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Hon. Aondowase Kunde, said the flag-off of resettlement housing for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) marks a milestone in Benue State’s drive to restore dignity, stability, and hope. He emphasized that the project is about rebuilding lives and fostering resilience, not merely constructing buildings.
“It reflects a collective commitment to ensure no displaced person is left behind, offering them safe, dignified pathways, whether returning to ancestral homes or alternative resettlement,” Hon. Kunde noted. He added that the initiative translates policy into tangible, lasting impact, embodying compassion-driven leadership and global best practices.
He commended Governor Alia’s leadership, the State Executive Council, and all partners for making the project possible, describing it as a beacon of hope and a foundation for peace and development. He called on stakeholders to remain united, so the resettlement city becomes a model of resilience and inclusive progress.
The Chairman of Guma Local Government, Hon. Maurice Orwough, commended President Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support of the people of Benue State, particularly the Yelewata community. He also praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for his tireless efforts to ensure that victims of recent attacks receive much-needed assistance, while acknowledging the vital role of security agencies in maintaining peace.
However, Hon. Orwough expressed concern over the persistent insecurity in some communities and appealed to security agencies to intensify their efforts to protect lives and property.
Speaking on behalf of the Yelewata community, former House of Representatives member for Makurdi/Guma, Hon. Cletus Upaa, thanked organizations and the federal government, as well as Governor Alia, for their support of the IDP resettlement housing scheme. He assured that the project will be executed under strict oversight, with a dedicated committee ensuring proper implementation.
Upaa commended the contractor’s progress and called for sustained funding to ensure timely completion. He also expressed gratitude to community members, especially women, and to security agencies for their sacrifices in maintaining safety. “We value their efforts and seek continued support to complete the housing on schedule,” he concluded.
Tor Lobi, His Royal Highness, Moses Anagende, speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, commended President Tinubu and Governor Alia, as well as the Minister of Defence, for providing adequate security for the people of Yelewata. He called on his subjects to shun criminal acts and support ongoing efforts and interventions. The traditional ruler also appealed to the government to increase the number of housing units and create employment opportunities for members of the community.
Engineer David Anifowose of Civil Advancement and Rural Initiatives, the contractor for the new IDP resettlement scheme, said the initiative aims to restore dignity, safety, and well-being for displaced families, describing the project as a “top-level intervention” that provides permanent housing solutions. “Each unit will occupy a 20 × 30‑meter plot with a 15 × 20‑meter building footprint,” Anifowose noted that technical issues are being addressed with planning experts and the Ministry of Housing, to ensure the delivery of quality and durable structures.
Engineer Anifowose emphasized a commitment to value for money, strict timelines, and transparent resource management, adding that beneficiaries will be fully involved throughout construction. He called for sustained funding.
Speaking on behalf of Civil Society Organizations, Dr. Helen Tete expressed optimism that interventions will continue. “We hope that a lot of intervention will continue even after resettling them here, so they can gradually move out of trauma. We are gradually losing our history and our culture, and we hope that efforts like this will help resurrect the people of Yelewata,” while Mediatrix Berangayab of International Organization for Migration (IOM), who spoke on behalf of International Organizations, said they are currently on track and planning to work with authorities to construct a healthcare facility in the community, near the existing clinic, to ensure complementarity with what has already been done by both the EU and other partners. They gave assurances that they will continue to work with the state to ensure that the communities ravaged by insecurity get appropriate support.
