Survivors of the Yelewata attack currently taking refuge at the temporary camp located at the International Market, Makurdi, Benue State have protested against calls by traditional rulers and community leaders urging them to return home.
No fewer than 3,000 displaced persons from the Yelewata community are currently taking shelter in the camp following the coordinated attacks by suspected armed herders on June 13, 2025, which led to the gruesome murder of about 200 people.
Reporters who visited the camp on Sunday gathered that the protest was sparked by mounting pressure from traditional rulers, who cited the infiltration of the camp by outsiders as one of the reasons for the return call.
“These infiltrators have continued to feast from the humanitarian support supposed to be for survivors of the Yelewata community,” one of the displaced persons who identified himself as Uker Amos told The Punch.
The 41-year-old survivor noted that many of them opposed the return directive due to lingering concerns over safety in their community.
He said, “(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.”
While speaking, the Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Tema Ager, confirmed that traditional rulers of the Yelewata community were indeed pressuring their people to go back.
“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,” he said.
Ager added that the government would assess the situation and decide when the people would return home.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kumde, recently raised the alarm over the infiltration of the camp by market women, criminals and individuals from the host community.
The commissioner said at least 50 infiltrators had been arrested.
