By Nkechi Eze
In the aftermath of a violent attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed essential relief materials to support affected residents and displaced families. The intervention comes amid growing humanitarian concerns and heightened security responses to a string of violent incidents in the region.
The tragic attack, which occurred recently, left dozens of people displaced, with many others suffering the loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods. Yelwata, located along the boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States, has been one of the flashpoints in the ongoing conflict between armed criminal elements and local communities, often tied to farmer-herder tensions.
Responding swiftly to the humanitarian emergency, NEMA activated its North Central Zonal Office to coordinate the distribution of critical relief items. In a statement released by Manzo Ezekiel, Head of NEMA’s Press Unit, the agency confirmed that the deployment followed a joint rapid needs assessment conducted with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and security agencies operating in the area.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, mandated the Zonal Director, Mr. Aliyu Waziri, to supervise the delivery and ensure that victims receive timely assistance. She further instructed that a comprehensive impact assessment be carried out to evaluate the scale of destruction and identify any further support needed.
The relief materials delivered to the community included a combination of food and non-food essentials such as bags of parboiled rice and maize, spaghetti, vegetable oil, seasoning cubes, tomato paste, iodized salt, and mattresses—supplies aimed at addressing both nutritional and shelter needs.
Mrs. Umar reiterated NEMA’s commitment to providing timely emergency assistance, stating that the agency remains resolute in working with all relevant stakeholders to ease the suffering of displaced populations and support recovery efforts.
As security operations continue in the region, humanitarian agencies and emergency responders are doubling down on efforts to stabilize affected communities and provide hope to families caught in the cycle of violence.
