A social cultural organization, the Tyoshin Development Association, TDA, has begun a gradual resettlement of families displaced for more than a decade by armed Fulani militia attacks in parts of Makurdi and Gwer‑West Local Government Areas of Benue State.
DAIL POST gathered that communities such as Agbede, Ukpe, Tse‑Mkyi (Makurdi), Tse‑Tarnyaregh, Anguhar, Tse‑Lagu and Agbu‑City (Gwer‑West) have been unable to return home to their ancestral lands because of incessant herdsmen violence.
This was disclosed on Thursday during a chat with newsmen by President of TDA, Mr Tina Tarnongo in Makurdi.
The President of TDA is spearheading the effort of rebuilding schools and homes and providing security escorts so farmers can safely return to their fields.
“We are supporting the communities with reconstruction and security measures to enable displaced farmers to go back to farms safely.” Tarnongo said.
In a remark, a former councillor in the affected community, Simon Terngu praised the initiative, noting that many internally displaced persons, IDPs, are already returning.
“The interventions of the Tyoshin Development Association have complemented the state government’s efforts.
“We can finally go back after years of displacement to our ancestral lands.’
Residents expressed gratitude but called on the Benue State government to augment the association’s work with essential social amenities.
“We need schools, health centres, clean water and roads to make our return sustainable,” said Felix Ughuma of Tyuotegh community.
Despite the progress, a sizable number of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, remain in Naka town and Makurdi where they continue to face some many challenges after so many years away from their ancestral homes.
A former Area Court Judge Gbakan Moses, said the steps taken by the President TDA needs to be supported as many communities have since returned to their homes.
The TDA’s resettlement drive is ongoing, with hopes that state support will accelerate the restoration of normal life to the affected communities as many have begun to return to their ancestral lands despite the huge destruction by armed herdsmen in such communities.
Group commence resettlement of displaced communities in Benue
