The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have pledged to support the Benue State Government in rehabilitating, reconstructing, and resettling over 4,000 displaced persons attacked by armed herdsmen two weeks ago at Yelwata Community.
This is even as Governor Hyacinth Alia commended the EU, UNICEF and other development partners for their longstanding presence and support in the state.
The two organisations declared their support when they visited the Makurdi International Market, where the survivors of Yelewata attacks were taking refuge.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, who was on the visit with the UNICEF representative, also sympathised with survivors of the attacks and their loved ones who were gruesomely murdered on Friday June 13, 2025, by armed herdsmen.
According to Mignot, the intervention was a joint initiative of the EU, International Labour Organisation (ILO), and UNICEF aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social protection mechanisms.
He said the project prioritises the inclusion of vulnerable groups, expanding the National Social Register, and integrating shock-responsive financial planning into national development frameworks.
“We are here to meet with men and women who were displaced from Yelwata and other communities who suffered the attack on the 13th of June. We felt that it was necessary to come and meet them and express our support, sympathy and solidarity and listen to their testimonies.
“We will have meetings with State authorities to see how we can contribute to peace-building in Benue state and development support to the state policies,” he said.
The visit, according to Mignot, was aimed at listening to the testimonies of the survivors, commiserating with them and also exploring possible areas of intervention, especially in peace building and social protection.
According to him, “We know that peace is lasting when it is built on dialogue and mutual understanding between stakeholders and communities.
“Our Union was based on the ashes of two cruel world wars between our member states. And when we came together, united, that’s where we could thrive and prosper, and believe in peace. So this is the future that we hope also for the population in Benue State, if we can bring our modest contribution, we will do this,” he assured.
Also speaking, UNICEF Country Director, Cristian Munduate, assured that in partnership with other development partners, the Fund would assess the affected communities and deliver a comprehensive support package focused on education, health care, water access and overall community recovery.
While commending the displaced persons for their resilience despite their trauma, which shows in their desire to return to their ancestral homes and resume farming activities, Munduate said “We will examine the state of primary health care facilities, schools, and water sources like boreholes in the affected areas to support a dignified and sustainable return.”
She also praised the IDPs for their bravery and affirmed that the government was determined to facilitate their safe return to their ancestral homes.
