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The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir-James Aondoakaa Iorpuu, PhD, on Tuesday led a high-level delegation comprising the Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Benue State Command, Mrs. Grace Nkangwung, and UN development partners to a strategic meeting with traditional rulers and stakeholders at the palace of Ter Kwande, Chief Engr. Timothy Ahile, in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area.
The meeting focused on the lingering humanitarian crises affecting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), host communities, Cameroonian refugees, and border security challenges in the area.
Sir-James Iorpuu appreciated the Nigeria Immigration Service and UN partners, particularly the UNHCR, for their continued engagement on issues affecting refugees, IDPs, and host communities. He commended early warning systems and interventions in Makurdi and Guma LGAs, while appealing for increased attention to Kwande, Logo, Agatu, and other less-supported areas.
The NIS Controller, Mrs. Grace Nkangwung, briefed stakeholders on border-related issues and long-standing tensions between Cameroonian refugees and host communities. She clarified that refugees are not eligible to participate in elections and reaffirmed the commitment of immigration authorities and UNHCR to protect refugees, IDPs, and host communities while maintaining peace.
UNHCR Head of Sub-Office, Irene Omondi, thanked stakeholders for their cooperation and commended the Benue State Government for accommodating refugees and granting them access to basic services. She reaffirmed partners’ commitment to continued interventions and called for stronger government collaboration on farmland access and sustainable farming support.
Chief Timothy Ahile appreciated the partners for developmental projects, including a primary healthcare centre in Ikyogen and a hospital in Adikpo. He highlighted border security challenges and appealed for more interventions to address insecurity, farmland disputes, shelter, and livelihood restoration for IDPs and host communities.
Following the palace meeting, the delegation visited the Ikyogen Refugee Settlement for an on-ground assessment before convening a town hall meeting at Liev Ward II Council Hall, Ikyogen. Both refugees and host communities agreed on dialogue, clearer land allocation guidelines, and enhanced partner support for sustainable farming.
The engagement, which featured other humanitarian stakeholders, underscores ongoing efforts to address the protracted humanitarian situation in Kwande and surrounding border areas.
