Insecurity: Benue Records Additional 18,592 IDPs Amid Ongoing Crisis.
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) announced on Thursday, 5 June 2025, the registration of an additional 18,592 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA), highlighting the escalating insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s “Food Basket.” The surge in displacement follows recent attacks on communities, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
James Iorpuu, the acting Executive Secretary of BSEMA, revealed that a new IDP camp has been established at NKST Primary School in Naka, Gwer West, to accommodate the newly displaced individuals. The influx is attributed to violent incursions, primarily by suspected armed herders, which have left scores dead, farmlands destroyed, and communities shattered across the state. “The situation remains deeply concerning,” Iorpuu stated, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated intervention to address the crisis.
Benue, located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has long grappled with conflicts between indigenous farmers and nomadic herders over land and water resources, compounded by banditry and other security challenges. These clashes have displaced over 2.1 million people in the state, according to some estimates, cementing Benue’s tragic distinction as a hub of humanitarian distress. The latest wave of 18,592 IDPs adds to an already strained network of 17 camps, where displaced persons face inadequate shelter, limited access to clean water, poor sanitation, and insufficient healthcare.
In a show of support, Iorpuu commended President Bola Tinubu for his swift response to the crisis, particularly through the deployment of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oloyede, to Benue. The army chief has temporarily relocated to the state for emergency talks with Governor Hyacinth Alia and to oversee efforts to curb the violence. “We are grateful for the federal government’s commitment to restoring peace,” Iorpuu said, expressing hope that these measures would pave the way for lasting stability.
Governor Alia, addressing the Benue Traditional Council and state security council, described the Chief of Army Staff’s presence as a “message of hope” amid renewed unprovoked attacks and killings. The state government has reiterated its resolve to return all IDPs to their ancestral homes, with machinery already in motion to facilitate this process. However, the persistent threat of violence continues to hinder progress.
The BSEMA’s efforts are part of a broader push to address the root causes of displacement and provide relief. Over 6,273 vulnerable individuals from 15 IDP camps have recently been enrolled in the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme to ensure access to essential healthcare. Additionally, more than 5,000 Civil Protection Guards have been deployed to work alongside security agencies, bolstering protection against potential threats.
As Benue grapples with this growing crisis, calls for urgent action and collaboration between the federal government, state authorities, and humanitarian partners intensify. The hope remains that through unified efforts, peace can be restored, and thousands of displaced families can return to rebuild their lives in safety.