Tragedy struck Agagbe in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State as two pregnant internally displaced women reportedly died within a five-day interval.
Residents told our correspondent on Monday that the victims, identified as Aondona Dooshima, 30, and Sumali Blessing, 28, passed away on February 26 and March 1, 2026, respectively.
A community source, Terna, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed the deaths on hardship and limited access to quality healthcare.
He explained that Dooshima, who was displaced from Tse Nongu Tswarev in Gaambe Ushin Council Ward, developed acute abdominal pain on February 26.
According to him, her husband later conveyed her to a primary healthcare facility in Abani on Sunday, but her condition had deteriorated.
She reportedly died the following day and her remains were deposited at the Agagbe morgue.
The source added that both women and their families had sought refuge in Agagbe after fleeing violent attacks in their ancestral communities.
He appealed to the state government, individuals and non-governmental organisations to urgently intervene by providing medical and welfare support to displaced families in the area.
Reacting, the Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Tema Ager, clarified that although the deceased were internally displaced persons, they were not residing within the official camp facility.
“They were displaced persons but not living inside the camp.
They were staying within the host community,” she stated.
The incident has once again underscored the harsh realities confronting displaced households in Benue, many of whom continue to grapple with inadequate healthcare, food shortages and other basic needs years after being forced from their homes by recurring attacks.
Agagbe is among the 14 officially designated Internally Displaced Persons camps in the state.