The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue State, Mr. Aondowase Kunde, has confirmed the arrest of more than 50 individuals posing as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Makurdi Ultra Modern International Market, where real victims of the June 13 attack on Yelewata community are currently being sheltered.
The camp, which was set up for displaced residents of Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, has reportedly seen a large increase in population in recent days. This unexpected rise triggered suspicions, prompting a closer look at those entering the camp.
Mr. Kunde noted that he personally led an early morning inspection at 4 a.m. last Saturday with his team. During the visit, it became clear that many of those present were not genuine IDPs but rather individuals from the host community and neighboring areas. He explained that while the actual number of displaced persons from Yelewata is 219, the camp was holding far more than that.
According to him, “The authentic figure of IDPs in the camp from Yelewata is 219, but you can see that what we have here is far more than that.”
He further noted that some individuals from nearby areas and even from other IDP camps, such as the Mega Camp, were sneaking into the Makurdi camp. Some came under the pretense of seeking help, while others had more troubling motives.
“We also have the case of people coming in to steal. A particular young man who had the IDP identification tag led others into the camp to steal mattresses after threatening some of the traumatised female IDPs,” he said.
He added that some women were even “borrowing” children from nearby households to receive more items during distributions, including food and relief materials. This act, according to the commissioner, was being closely monitored and would be addressed.
“Some women also mischievously borrow children from the host community to enable them to receive more of the ration of anything distributed in the camp. We have taken steps to check those.”
Mr. Kunde also noted that some individuals were deliberately trying to cause unrest in the camp, with members of the host community encouraging protests and disturbances that threaten the safety and well-being of genuine IDPs.
“Regrettably, some persons are instigating crisis and protest in the camp, and members of the host community as well as people with criminal intentions have infiltrated the camp and are creating problems for the genuine IDPs, but we will sanitise the place.”
