Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, has assured displaced residents of Yelewata community that their ancestral lands remain theirs and will not be lost despite the recent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Dajoh made the declaration on Tuesday during a legislative solidarity visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camped at the Makurdi International Market.
Naijaonpoint reports that the lawmakers’ visit was part of a broader initiative to assess the welfare of victims affected by renewed violence in the state.
Addressing the displaced persons, Dajoh said, “No one will take your land.”
It is worth noting that many of the camp occupants had fled their ancestral homes in Yelewata following the June 13, 2025, invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
“We stand with you in this painful moment. The Benue State Government, under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, is fully committed to ensuring your safe and dignified return,” he added.
In his address at the IDP camp, the Speaker condemned the attack, which reportedly led to multiple deaths, injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
He maintained that the state government would not allow the attackers to succeed in their mission of dispossessing people of their land.
Dajoh praised the quick intervention of Governor Alia in the aftermath of the attack, particularly the establishment of the IDP camp within days at the Makurdi International Market, which has now become a temporary refuge for hundreds.
He also commended the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for swiftly mobilising relief to the affected community.
“We thank SEMA for rising to the occasion,” Dajoh said.
“But we must also remind all involved that transparency and accountability in distributing relief items is non-negotiable.”
The Speaker directed a strong message to relief managers, especially SEMA’s Executive Secretary, Sir James Iorpuu, to ensure that all interventions reach the displaced persons without diversion.
“We must ensure that the assistance meant for the people reaches them directly without compromise. This is not the time for bureaucracy or selective distribution. Everyone here deserves equal care,” Dajoh stressed.
Yelwata Attack: Victims Recount Horror
During an interactive session at the camp, some displaced residents of Yelewata recounted the nightmarish experience of the June 13 attack.
One elderly man, who gave his name as Aondongu, said he lost two family members and fled on foot through the bush for hours.
“We didn’t even take anything with us,” Daily Post quoted Aondongu as saying. “We just ran for our lives.”
On their part, the lawmakers conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the camp’s condition, including shelter availability, access to food, medical care, and water.
Despite the trauma and dislocation, Speaker Dajoh offered words of encouragement to the displaced, reaffirming that the state would continue to stand by them until their safe return.
“We will not abandon you,” he said. “You have a right to your land, your homes, and your peace. And that right will be protected.”