UN, US Delegation Visit Benue, Express Solidarity Over Recent Attacks and Displacement.
A delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United States Congress has visited Benue State to express sympathy and support following recent violent attacks in Yelwata and other communities.
Led by Jessie Ainslie of the UNHCR, the delegation confirmed that the situation in Benue is being closely monitored from Washington D.C., with significant attention from the American public. They commended the state government’s efforts in supporting displaced persons, particularly the donation of farmland to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) rebuild their livelihoods.
The team, which includes eight US congressional staffers, said their visit is part of a fact-finding mission to assess the humanitarian situation and evaluate the effectiveness of US aid in Nigeria. As part of their tour, they visited the IDP camp at the International Market in Makurdi to demonstrate international concern and solidarity.
Deputy Governor Sam Ode, who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia, thanked the delegation for their commitment to understanding the crisis on the ground. He attributed the conflict to farmer-herder clashes, exacerbated by land scarcity and outdated grazing methods. The state government reiterated its support for ranching as a sustainable solution and pledged continued cooperation with federal initiatives aimed at restoring peace.
