The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced on Monday that attacks in Benue State have displaced 6,527 people, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children.
In a statement posted on its official X account, NEMA revealed that 1,069 households had been affected. The displaced include 82 pregnant women, 252 lactating mothers, 657 children under 18, 1,768 females, 759 males, and 91 elderly individuals.
It added that more than 3,000 of the displaced, particularly women and children, urgently require food, clean water, essential medical supplies, and other relief items.
“Urgent humanitarian support is being mobilised to reduce the suffering of those affected,” the agency said.
NEMA reported that the most recent attack occurred early Saturday at Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, with casualty figures still unclear due to limited access and the unstable security situation. Ongoing rescue operations are expected to provide more accurate data.
Following a distress alert, Nigerian Army troops and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officers were deployed. Tragically, two soldiers and one NSCDC officer died after being ambushed en route to Daudu.
NEMA confirmed it is working alongside the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), UNHCR, Red Cross, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to coordinate relief efforts at a new IDP camp at Makurdi International Market.
The agency also noted that 46 people were hospitalised due to injuries sustained during the attack. Sadly, 20 later died.
Medical teams have called for urgent blood donations to support those in critical condition.
The violence in Yelewata triggered protests in Makurdi on Sunday. The demonstration by youths demanding an end to the killings turned rowdy after security forces fired tear gas.
Prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and Pope Leo XIV have all condemned the killings.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia stated that 59 people were killed in the latest attack. He credited federal support with helping reduce the number of local governments under siege from 17 to just three.