Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has directed the immediate reopening of Yelewata Market in Guma Local Government Area to restore commercial activities and improve livelihoods for residents affected by violent attacks in the community. The Governor gave the directive on Friday at LGEA Primary School, Yelewata, while receiving the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Amina Mohammed, and her delegation, who were in Benue State to assess the level of destruction caused by the June 2025 attack on the community.
Governor Alia said reopening the market would enable residents, particularly women, to resume buying and selling, thereby improving their economic conditions and helping the community recover from the devastation. He expressed appreciation to the United Nations and its agencies for their sustained interventions in support of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State, noting that their assistance has brought relief to thousands displaced by insecurity. He also thanked Dr. Mohammed for visiting Benue personally to witness the realities on ground and engage directly with affected communities.
In her remarks, Dr. Amina Mohammed emphasized the importance of unity among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups as a foundation for peace, growth, and development. She assured the Benue State Government that the United Nations would continue to support displaced persons and facilitate their safe return to their ancestral homes. She further disclosed that UN agencies would introduce modern agricultural practices to affected communities to sustain displaced families until security conditions improve sufficiently for their return.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Hon. Orwough Maurice, said more than 200 people lost their lives in the June attack allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen militia, with many others displaced from their homes. He commended both the Benue State Government and United Nations agencies for their prompt interventions in bringing relief to victims. Also speaking, the District Head of Nyiev in Guma LGA, Chief Bernard Shawa, praised Governor Alia for consistently identifying with the people and for drawing international attention to their plight.
Women representatives, including Comfort Achia, Margaret Terkumbur, and Christiana Anseta, also lauded the Governor and UN agencies for their humanitarian support aimed at cushioning the effects of the attacks. Governor Alia later led the UN delegation to inspect ongoing construction of dignified housing units in Yelewata, as well as educational facilities at the IDPs Mega Camp, where he pledged to provide additional classrooms to improve learning conditions for displaced children.
