Benue State Government has announced a structured resettlement framework for displaced residents of Yelwata, as part of efforts to address the humanitarian and developmental challenges and ensure long-term recovery arising from last year’s attack in the community by suspected armed herdsmen.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Deaconess Deborah S. Aber, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at Government House, Makurdi.
She said the initiative was approved by the State Executive Council (EXCO) as part of a broader strategy to restore social stability, rebuild livelihoods, and strengthen confidence among affected populations.
She announced that the physical phase of the project would be formally flagged off on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at a purpose-built site within Yelwata.
The location, she explained, was selected to ensure displaced persons remain close to their original settlements, enabling continued access to farmlands, family networks, and local markets.
According to the SSG, the state adopted an internationally recognised United Nations post-conflict resettlement model, which emphasizes community proximity, phased reintegration, and the provision of essential services as a foundation for sustainable recovery.
The land for the project, she said, was made available by the local government to accelerate deployment and reduce displacement fatigue among residents.
The first phase of the scheme will deliver 62 two-bedroom housing units, each fitted with sanitary facilities, designed to accommodate families currently residing in temporary camps.
Aber said the housing layout prioritizes safety, privacy, and functionality, reflecting the government’s intention to provide more than shelter by creating a livable and dignified environment for recovery.
Funding for the programme, she disclosed, was sourced from donations totaling about N1.275 billion, mobilized after the Yelwata incident.
This includes a N1 billion contribution from the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, CON, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, alongside support from other public-spirited individuals and organizations.
To ensure accountability, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia constituted a dedicated oversight committee, chaired by the SSG, to manage and track the utilization of the funds.
Aber said the committee’s mandate extends beyond financial supervision to include continuous engagement with affected communities.
She noted that consultations with displaced residents and host communities led to the classification of needs into immediate, medium-term, and long-term priorities.
Emergency interventions, she said, included the enrolment of displaced children into nearby schools, the provision of basic relief materials, and the restoration of access to healthcare and sanitation services.
On infrastructure readiness, the SSG revealed that the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) component of the resettlement site has already been completed.
Solar-powered boreholes have been installed to provide reliable access to clean water, a development she described as central to disease prevention, personal dignity, and overall community wellbeing.
Aber stressed that the Yelwata resettlement programme is designed as a transitional solution rather than a permanent relocation.
She said the government remains committed to working with security agencies and community leaders to address the root causes of displacement and create conditions for the eventual return of residents to their ancestral homes.
“The objective is not just to rebuild structures, but to rebuild trust, livelihoods, and social cohesion,” she said, adding that sustainable peace remains the cornerstone of any long-term development effort in conflict-affected areas.
She described the project as a potential template for future humanitarian and recovery interventions across the state, combining transparent fund management, community participation, and infrastructure development within a single policy framework.
The SSG called on development partners, civil society groups, and the private sector to complement government efforts, noting that post-crisis reconstruction requires shared responsibility and sustained investment.
She assured the public that progress reports on the Yelwata resettlement project would be released regularly, emphasizing that transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement will continue to guide the administration’s approach to recovery and development.
Credit: Orseer Mnzughulga
