The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) has reported 15 live births and 122 pregnant women at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp recently established in Yelwata, Guma LGA, following renewed violence in the region.
BSEMA’s Head of Administration, Mr Donald Komgbenda, said on Monday that 4,685 people had been registered at the camp, with women and children comprising the majority of the displaced.
“Out of 4,685 individuals, 2,960 are female—including 122 expectant mothers—while 1,725 are male. These figures span across 1,739 households,” Komgbenda told journalists during a briefing in Makurdi.
Despite the growing population, the camp remains critically under-equipped. The site, which was formerly a commercial market area, lacks electricity, toilet facilities, and access to clean running water.
“We are currently supplying six trucks of water daily to cover essential needs,” he said, noting that discussions were ongoing to provide permanent solutions.
Komgbenda expressed concern over the inadequate infrastructure but lauded the contributions of donor organisations and humanitarian partners, who continue to provide critical support to the displaced.
“These partners have been instrumental in improving the welfare of residents despite the severe limitations on the ground,” he added.
