The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) has reported that 380 pregnant women displaced by the recent Yelewata community attack in Guma Local Government Area are currently residing at the Makurdi Ultra Modern International Market temporary Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.
Camp manager, Robert Nyom, disclosed this during a briefing in Makurdi.
He noted that the camp has registered over 2,336 households, totaling 5,294 individuals.
Among them are 2,536 children, 389 pregnant women, 233 elderly women, and 181 elderly men.
Nyom dismissed recent claims that children from the camp were being handed over for care without due process.
He emphasized that BSEMA had not received any such request and reiterated that strict procedures must be followed before any child can be placed in external care.
Addressing the possibility of returning the displaced persons to their original homes, Nyom said that while BSEMA plans to facilitate their return, this would only happen once adequate security, shelter, and welfare arrangements have been made.
“The government has not closed the camp nor initiated the return of the IDPs to Yelewata.
We urge those eager to return to remain patient while necessary preparations are made,” he said.
He also acknowledged the critical role played by both the government and charitable individuals and organizations in providing food and non-food relief items.
However, he stressed that the current level of support remains insufficient to meet the growing needs of the camp’s residents.