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| Tiv families in makeshift camp after Benue attack |
The majority of arrivals land in Keana and Doma LGAs. Local shelters overflow with tents and makeshift huts. Most families report journeying on foot over 15 miles. They carry few belongings and little food .
For over a decade, Benue has faced farmer-herder clashes. These disputes stem from grazing rights and land use. Recent tensions escalated as herdsmen moved deeper into Tiv farmlands. Yelwata, once a quiet market town, saw its worst massacre in June 2025 .
In past months, over 1,000 locals fled minor attacks. Yet the recent slaughter dwarfed all prior incidents. Authorities report communal clashes drove 86% of past displacements. Herdsmen violence accounted for 13% .
UN OCHA estimates roughly 5,000 people moved into Nasarawa since early June. ReliefWeb’s Flash Report 217 confirms 3,200 new arrivals in Keana alone . IOM data show over 443,000 IDPs in Benue and Nasarawa camps since April 2025 .
Humanitarian partners warn this number could double within weeks. Food, water, and medical aid remain scarce. Only 10% of required funds have been raised for regional response .
Tents lack mosquito nets and bedding. Many sleep on bare ground, exposed to rain. Pregnant women and children face severe malnutrition risks. Local clinics report a 30% rise in malaria and diarrhoea cases this month .
“There’s no privacy, no safe water. Children cry all night,” said one camp resident. Aid workers confirm no clean latrines in two main sites. They warn disease could spread fast .
Nasarawa’s state government opened three temporary camps. They allocated farmland for shelters and promised food supplies. However, local budgets already strain under flood relief costs. Keana’s LGA chair admits funding gaps hamper aid delivery .
Benue State governor condemned the massacre and urged federal troops to secure border villages. Federal agencies deployed extra patrol units last week. Yet attacks persist, raising doubts on security gains .
UNICEF sent emergency water kits to two camps on June 12. MSF teams treat up to 150 patients daily for malaria and cholera. IOM distributes shelter kits and kitchen sets to 800 households .
Local NGOs call for urgent food rations. They aim to reach 20,000 people in three weeks. Yet only 5,000 rations are confirmed due to funding shortfalls .
A conflict analyst warns that climate change worsens land pressures. “Drier seasons push herdsmen into new areas,” he said. Analysts link violence spikes to dwindling grazing land .
A development expert urges peace talks between Tiv and Fulani herders. He says local dialogue can curb clashes over resources. Without this, attacks will likely repeat .
Some herder groups claim they fled bandit attacks, then retaliated. They argue farming plots block migration routes. Community leaders say this view ignores the human toll. Both sides share blame for poor land management .
Aid agencies plan a joint response plan on June 20. They seek $12 million to cover food, health, and shelter needs. Success hinges on donor support and improved security .
Local leaders push for fast-track compensation for lost property. They want farmland restored and culprits prosecuted. Many families fear returning until justice is served .