European Union Ambassador to Nigeria Gautier Mignot and UNICEF Representative Cristian Munduate visited survivors of the Yelewata massacre at the International Market displacement camp in Makurdi on Tuesday, pledging immediate aid and long-term recovery programs. The high-level visit follows the June 13 armed attack that displaced hundreds in Benue State, with officials emphasizing the urgent need for psychosocial support, reconstruction of schools, and restoration of farmlands ahead of the critical farming season.
EU Launches Peacebuilding Initiative as Survivors Demand Return to Farmlands
Ambassador Mignot announced a social protection program launching June 25 to foster inter-community dialogue, stating the EU’s commitment to “lasting peace built on mutual understanding.” Meanwhile, UNICEF’s Munduate revealed plans to rebuild primary healthcare centers, water systems, and damaged schools in Yelewata, noting displaced families’ determination to resume farming despite trauma. “These survivors refuse dependency—they want to reclaim their livelihoods,” Munduate told reporters, praising the community’s resilience after witnessing destroyed infrastructure firsthand.
Benue State Government Vows Security for Safe Return to Ancestral Homes
Benue State Secretary Deborah Aber confirmed the government’s plan to facilitate survivors’ return to Yelewata farmlands, acknowledging the psychological toll of losing family members. “We’re providing trauma counseling while ensuring safe reintegration,” Aber said, criticizing how the attacks disrupted crop cultivation during peak agricultural activity. The officials’ visit underscores growing international concern over Nigeria’s Middle Belt violence, with the EU and UNICEF now coordinating humanitarian interventions to complement state efforts.
