Survivors of the June 13 Yelewata attack in Benue State, currently sheltered at a temporary camp located at the International Market in Makurdi, have rejected calls to return to their community, citing persistent security concerns.
Over 3,000 displaced persons, who fled Yelewata following the coordinated killing of about 200 people by suspected armed herders, are currently residing in the camp.
It was gathered that traditional rulers and community leaders have been urging the survivors to return home, expressing concern over the influx of other displaced individuals into the facility.
“These infiltrators have continued to feast from the humanitarian support supposed to be for survivors of the Yelewata community,” said Uker Amos, a 41-year-old survivor of the attack.
Amos explained that many of them had voiced their opposition to the return, especially with no concrete security measures in place to protect them upon their return.
“Yesterday, (Saturday) some of us came to the gate of this camp and voiced our position that we are not returning now until there is adequate security for us to return,” he said.
Confirming the situation during a telephone interview on Sunday, Tema Ager, Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), acknowledged that community leaders were indeed putting pressure on the displaced persons to vacate the camp.
“But the people (displaced persons) are opposed to the move by the traditional rulers.
They said they could only go back when there is assurance from the government that their community is safe. In fact, some of them came out to protest the call for their return,” Ager stated.
He added that the state government would monitor the evolving situation and determine when conditions are safe enough for a proper return.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kumde, has raised concerns about the infiltration of the camp by individuals who are not original victims of the Yelewata attack.
Kumde noted that the camp had become a target for market women, criminals, and some members of the host community, who have joined in receiving relief items meant strictly for displaced survivors.
The commissioner said at least 50 infiltrators had been arrested so far.
