Benue confirms arrest of 50 fake IDPs in Yelwata Camp infiltration

By Emmanuel Antswen

The Benue State Government has confirmed the arrest of 50 individuals who falsely presented themselves as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Yelwata IDP camp situated within the International Market along George Akume Way in Makurdi.

Mr Aondowase Kunde, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue, disclosed the development on Saturday, revealing that criminal elements and opportunists from the host community had infiltrated the camp, compromising its integrity and resources.

“We have had serious issues in the camp over the past two days,” Kunde said.

“Following a protest, we launched an investigation and found that many of the agitators were not genuine IDPs but individuals from the host community and nearby markets.”

According to Kunde, some of the arrested suspects broke into the camp on Friday night through a collapsed section of the fence and stole non-food relief items, including mattresses.

He also noted a troubling trend of market women invading the camp to buy food items originally meant for displaced persons.

In a disturbing twist, the commissioner revealed that some women went as far as borrowing babies in order to pose as lactating mothers, having noticed that pregnant women and nursing mothers were prioritised for food distribution.

“When these so-called lactating mothers were asked to breastfeed their babies, it became clear they were faking it, there was no milk,” Kunde explained.

He said the government responded swiftly by arriving at the camp at 4 a.m. on Saturday to apprehend the infiltrators and restore order.

According to him, the breach and fraud have severely undermined relief efforts meant for genuine victims of the Yelwata attack.

The state government has vowed to tighten security around IDP camps and ensure that only verified individuals receive assistance. (NAN)