Over 50 Suspected Fake IDPs Nabbed at Makurdi Camp After Yelewata Attack — Benue State Government

More than 50 individuals allegedly masquerading as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been apprehended at the Makurdi Ultra Modern International Market, which has temporarily been converted into a shelter for victims of the deadly June 13 attack by suspected armed herders on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

This revelation was made public over the weekend by the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, during a press briefing with journalists at the IDP camp.

Kunde, who took personal charge of verifying the identities of the supposed IDPs, noted that the action was taken in response to a sudden and suspicious surge in the camp’s population. According to him, he led a discreet inspection operation at around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday and found that numerous residents from the host community had infiltrated the camp and were accessing resources meant solely for genuine IDPs.

“Only 219 individuals displaced from Yelewata are officially registered in this camp, but the current population here is far beyond that,” Kunde explained.

He added that investigations conducted over a two-day period revealed that individuals from nearby communities and even IDPs from the larger Mega Camp were relocating to the Makurdi camp, which he stressed was highly inappropriate.

The commissioner also reported instances of criminal behavior, including theft and acts of intimidation. He narrated a specific case involving a young man who, while wearing an official IDP identification tag, allegedly led a group to steal mattresses after threatening some of the traumatized women residing in the shelter. Kunde also revealed that some women had been borrowing children from the host community in order to receive additional food rations during aid distributions.

He further condemned the actions of individuals with ulterior motives who were instigating unrest and triggering protests, thereby putting the safety and mental wellbeing of authentic IDPs at risk.

“We know there are elements trying to destabilize the camp. Host community residents and intruders are stirring trouble, but we’re taking decisive actions to restore peace and order,” Kunde concluded.