The Benue State government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has commenced the relocation of 171 households, totaling over 835 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to a new mega camp in the Mbayongo community along the Makurdi-Gbajimba road in Guma Local Government Area. This relocation, initiated on Thursday, fulfills Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commitment to improving conditions for displaced individuals and, ultimately, facilitating their safe return to their ancestral homes.
Sir James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), highlighted that the new camp, capable of accommodating over 5,000 people, consolidates the populations from the Baka, NEPA, and Ichwa camps. The upgraded camp offers enhanced amenities, including a security post, schools, a marketplace, hospitals, electricity, and water facilities to support a safer and more comfortable living environment.
Margaret Jubu, an IDP for over seven years, expressed relief at the relocation, sharing her challenging experiences in the NEPA camp, where she supported her family through menial farm labor. Similarly, Terngu Angbianor, another long-term IDP, voiced appreciation for the government’s efforts but noted his wish to return to his ancestral home if security conditions permit.
This initiative by the Benue State government and IOM aims to provide immediate stability and comfort to the displaced while working towards long-term resettlement and security solutions.
