The Benue State Emergency Management Agency has reported that 80 families from internally displaced persons camps in the state have returned to their ancestral homes in Makurdi, the state capital. According to the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. James Iorpuu, the families have returned to Tatyough and Tyomu communities, where the agency has provided basic amenities to improve their standard of living.

Iorpuu, who is also the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, disclosed this during the monthly relief distribution exercise in Makurdi. He noted that despite the challenges facing internally displaced persons in the state, the governor has shown remarkable compassion and determination in addressing them through practical interventions.

The agency has commenced the distribution of food and non-food items across 15 official IDP camps in the state. The items include 2,300 25kg bags of rice, 600 bags of beans, 150 gallons of red oil, 140 cartons of maggi, and 160 gallons of ground nut oil, among others. Iorpuu said that the distribution is part of the state government’s efforts to restore livelihoods and rebuild communities.

In collaboration with partners, Benue SEMA has also commenced the biometric review and issuance of new identity cards to IDPs in camps and host communities. This is aimed at ensuring proper documentation and inclusion. Additionally, the agency has drilled solar-powered boreholes in returnee communities, such as Tatyough, and distributed food and non-food items to assist families in rebuilding their lives.

The state government’s “Renewed Hope Vision” aims to provide relief, restore dignity, promote self-reliance, and ensure the safe and sustainable return of displaced populations. Iorpuu said that the government is taking deliberate and strategic steps to achieve this vision, including the construction of housing and water projects at Naka Dam.

The return of the 80 families to their ancestral homes is a significant step towards the recovery of the state from the displacement crisis. The state government’s efforts to provide relief and restore livelihoods are crucial in ensuring the well-being of the affected communities. As the distribution of relief items continues, the state government remains committed to addressing the challenges facing internally displaced persons in the state.