February 22, (THEWILL) – Internally Displaced Persons in Benue State have expressed a strong desire to return to their ancestral homes, as the state government intensifies resettlement efforts.
In a bid to assess the perspectives of the IDPs on the relocation process, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management/Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu, facilitated a media engagement at the Abagena IDP camp in Makurdi.
As part of the initiative, a delegation from the Voice of America (VOA) French to Africa Service, Abuja, visited the camp on February 21, 2025, to gain firsthand insight into the conditions of displaced persons.
Representing the Permanent Secretary at the event, Programme Manager for IDP Operations, Mr. Orseer Zege, commended the VOA team for their commitment to highlighting the humanitarian crisis and ongoing rehabilitation efforts in Benue State.
Team Lead for VOA French to Africa, Mr. Gilbert Millimono Tamba, praised the Benue State Government for its proactive measures in tackling insecurity and creating conditions for the safe return of displaced persons. He reiterated that “no place is better than home” and expressed optimism about the reintegration process.
Several IDPs welcomed the resettlement plans with enthusiasm, thanking the state government and its partners for their intervention.
However, they appealed for farm inputs and financial assistance to help them rebuild their livelihoods after years of displacement caused by attacks from armed herdsmen.
“We are happy about the government’s plan to take us back home, but we need support to start afresh. If we receive farm inputs, we will ensure a bumper harvest in the coming cropping season,” an IDP stated.
With hopes of returning soon, many displaced persons anticipate a new beginning that will allow them to regain economic stability and contribute to agricultural productivity in Benue State.
