The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says more than 6,527 people have been displaced, and many killed following a series of coordinated attacks by unknown gunmen in Benue state.
Gunmen on Saturday launched a fresh attack on Yelewata, a community in Guma LGA of Benue, killing dozens of residents and leaving others severely injured.
NEMA on X says:
‘Casualty figures remain inconsistent due to the volatile security situation and limited access to affected areas. Ongoing rescue and recovery operations are expected to provide more accurate figures.’
Following a distress alert, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed to the scene. Tragically, two soldiers and one NSCDC officer lost their lives in an ambush while responding to the incident in Daudu.
Dozens sustained injuries, with 46 individuals rushed to hospitals. Sadly, 20 later succumbed to their injuries at the Hospital. Medical teams have called for urgent blood donations to support critical care efforts.
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the attack and reported that some of the assailants were neutralized during exchange of gunfire.
Meanwhile, efforts to support displaced populations are underway. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), UNHCR, Red Cross, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are coordinating relief activities at a newly established Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Makurdi International Market.
Over 3,000 individuals, including many women and children, have been displaced and are in urgent need of food, non-food items (NFIs), potable water, and essential medical supplies.
As of last night, displacement figures stood at 1,069 households, comprising 6,527 individuals. Among them are 1,768 females, 759 males, 657 children under 18, 1,870 adults above 18, 252 lactating mothers, 82 pregnant women, and 91 elderly persons.
Urgent humanitarian support is being mobilized and delivered to alleviate the hardship of the displaced persons
