Yelewata Christian Displaced Persons Block Highway
- TruthNigeria
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
As Terror, Starvation Engulf Benue Camps for Victims of Land-grabbing
By Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from a sprawling IDP Camp called Mbayongo, 5 km South of Yelewata on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, blocked the Makurdi-Lafia-Abuja expressway in protest of escalating Insecurity and starvation.
The protesters mostly women and children were seen with fresh leaves, chanting, “We want to go back home, No Security, No Food.”
More than 200 Christian Residents were killed, and thousands displaced and are currently being sheltered at different IDPs Camps in Benue State following the June 13 and 14 Massacre in Yelewata Community in Guma County of Benue State.
This protest was coming less than 24 hours after the visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen Oluremi Tinubu, who donated One Billion Naira (N1bn) to Benue State Government for upkeep of IDPs on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
8 Dead Recorded in Two IDPs Camps
In the meantime, eight (8) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have died without explanation in two camps in Makurdi namely, Ichwa and Abagana IDPs Camps. The deceased include Mngusornon Terhile, Juliana Iorkyaa, Deoron Kwaghbee and Bemshima Nyajo from Ichwa IDPs Camp. Others include Immaculate Dooshima Azende (Daughter of Abagana IDPs Camp Chairman, Festus Azende), Kazan Ver, Aboi Aondowase, and Unaha Joy from Abagana IDPs Camp.
A year-and-7 months old boy identified as Terseer Aondowase David reportedly was kidnapped from Ichwa IDPs and has yet to be rescued from the kidnappers.
U.S. Ambassador Silent on Yelewata Massacre
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Richard M. Mills, Jr. who celebrated his one-year anniversary of his appointment on July 31, has made no expression of condolence regarding the Yelewata atrocity on June 14 or for the thousands of atrocities committed by Fulani ethnic militia for two decades, according to a TruthNigeria search. On the other hand, the Ambassador gave a respectful audience to four representatives of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Association in late May of this year.
An unnamed State Department spokesman in Washington told Fox News Digital, “We strongly condemn these increasing attacks, including recent massacres in Benue state which primarily targeted Christian farming villages.”
The unnamed spokesperson reinforced reports that the attacks on Christians are being carried out by Islamic militant groups. “The United States remains deeply concerned about the levels of violence in Nigeria, including the threats posed by terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in northern Nigeria, and the impact that violence has on all communities in Nigeria.”acres in Benue state which primarily targeted Christian farming villages.”
Insecurity, Hunger Our Major Challenges — Protesters
Agnes Terwase, one of the visibly angry protesters in an interview with TruthNigeria, attributed their protest to escalating Insecurity and abandonment by the government, leading unprecedented starvation and sickness.
“From Yelewata down to Ortese, Igbam, Ukohol, Daudu and our IDPs Camp at Mbayongo, nowhere is safe despite the presence of police and the military. We can’t go outside our camp for fear of being attacked,” she added.
“The State and Federal Governments have abandoned us as we no longer receive foods or drugs. What is the need of staying in the camp if we cannot be protected or fed? Agnes asked.
Military and Police are not protecting us– Yelewata residents
Residents of restive Yelewata community, the Epicenter of the June 13/14 Massacre, have raised a disturbing Security alarm on the rising terrorist violence in their community despite military presence.
Damian Ugbir, Yelewata Youth Leader, decried the escalating attacks, blaming the Security Operatives for not doing enough to secure their community.
“The military and the police are not going after the Fulani terrorists. For example, armed Fulani terrorists disguising as herdsmen, came with their cattle and were seen grazing inside one of our primary schools. We alerted both the police and the military. The police sent only 2 officers, who exchanged gunfire with the terrorists. The Police personnel retreated, saying they could not match the firepower of the terrorists. Instead of the military going there, they took their motorcycles, went to different location and later returned to their base,” according to Ugbir.
Similarly, Thomas Ukumba, Yelewata Community Elder in an interview with TruthNigeria, added that; “Both the military and police are not here for us. They are just here to protect the Fulani terrorists,” Ukumba told TruthNigeria.
“Why are they not going after the Fulani Jihadists despite assurance by the Federal Government that the Yelewata Massacre in June would mark the end of insecurity in our community?” Ukumba asked.
“Our people have stopped going to distant farms for fear of being ambushed and slashed to death by the terrorists. Yet again, the terrorists are coming close to our residents, but no reaction by the military or police. We are not safe”, Ukumba said.
Eight Tribal Members Dead of Illness — IDPs Camp Leaders
braham Taa, Chairman of Ichwa IDPs Camp Makurdi, told TruthNigeria in an interview that, the camp has lost 4 members due to different types of ailments and lack drugs. He gave their names as Mngusornon Terhile, Juliana Iorkyaa, Deoron Kwaghbee and Bemshima Nyajo.
“Our camp is no longer secured due to fallen perimeter fences at different points”, Abraham narrated.
Similarly, Festus Azende, Abagana IDPs Camp Chairman also confirmed the loss 4 IDPs in his camp due to various health challenges. He gave their names as: Immaculate Dooshima Azende (his daughter), Kazan Ver, Aboi Aondowase and Unaha Joy
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