IDPs return home as Benue SEMA distributes relief items

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has reported that 80 families from internally displaced persons (IDP) camps have returned to their ancestral homes in Makurdi, the state capital. The families have been resettled in the Tatyough and Tyomu communities, where the agency has provided basic amenities to improve their standard of living.

Dr. James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of SEMA and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, disclosed this development during the monthly relief distribution exercise in Makurdi. He praised the governor’s compassion and determination in addressing the challenges faced by IDPs through practical interventions.

SEMA has begun distributing food and non‑food items across 15 official IDP camps in the state. The relief package includes 2,300 25‑kg bags of rice, 600 bags of beans, 150 gallons of red oil, 140 cartons of Maggi, and 160 gallons of groundnut oil, among other items. Iorpuu said the distribution is part of the state government’s effort to restore livelihoods and rebuild communities.

In collaboration with partners, Benue SEMA has also started a biometric review and the issuance of new identity cards to IDPs in camps and host communities, aiming to ensure proper documentation and inclusion. Additionally, the agency has drilled solar‑powered boreholes in returnee communities such as Tatyough and distributed further food and non‑food items to assist families in rebuilding their lives.

The state government’s “Renewed Hope Vision” seeks to provide relief, restore dignity, promote self‑reliance, and ensure the safe, sustainable return of displaced populations. Iorpuu noted that deliberate, strategic steps are being taken 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 marks a significant step toward the state’s recovery from the displacement crisis. Continued relief distribution and the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing IDPs are crucial for the well‑being of the affected communities.