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A recent social media post by community elder D’naked Elder Sughne has drawn attention to the work of Alex Barbir, an American humanitarian who has been actively visiting Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue State to assess and document the living conditions of thousands forced from their homes by years of violent attacks.
In the post, Sughne praises the camp highlighted in Barbir’s footage as one of the best-managed in the state, a relative bright spot amid widespread reports of overcrowding, inadequate shelter, and limited access to basic services in many displacement sites across Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The accompanying video shows hundreds of residents gathered in an open area, underscoring both the scale of displacement and the organized community life that has emerged in this particular camp.
Sughne frames Barbir’s efforts in spiritual terms, stating that the volunteer has “seen everything and documented” the realities on the ground, suggesting that his work carries a broader message of awareness and call for support to Benue and Nigeria at large. The post implies that Barbir’s documentation could help amplify the voices of the displaced, many of whom are survivors of repeated herder-farmer clashes and targeted attacks on farming communities.
While conditions in IDP camps across Benue vary widely, positive accounts of well-structured facilities offer encouragement that effective management and support can make a meaningful difference. Barbir’s on-the-ground presence continues to shine a light on both the ongoing challenges and the resilience of displaced families striving to rebuild their lives in safety.
