…Calls for Urgent National Response
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, has described the ongoing violence in Benue State as “sustained terror,” warning that the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the state is no longer a case of isolated attacks but a reflection of deeper national failure.
Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi on Thursday, Mamedu, who was represented by David Habba, the organisation’s Humanitarian and Resilience Programme Specialist, said the nature and scale of the killings, destruction, and mass displacement of communities point to a prolonged tragedy that demands immediate and coordinated attention.
“For the past 45 days, our consortium has been on the ground, responding to a humanitarian crisis that is far more than a temporary emergency,” Habba stated.
He was speaking on behalf of the BENUE-RESPONSE consortium comprising ActionAid Nigeria, Plan International, Cordaid, and Jireh Doo Foundation.
Habba noted that the frequency and brutality of the attacks had left communities in ruins and families in despair.
“Homes have been burned to the ground. Fields left unplanted. Futures thrown into limbo. Behind the numbers lie painful realities: children who have grown accustomed to the sound of gunfire, mothers burdened by trauma, and fathers struggling to protect their families in increasingly unsafe environments,” he said.
While highlighting efforts made by the consortium, Habba said that over 30,000 people had been reached within six weeks with various forms of emergency relief including medical support, cash assistance, clean water, and dignity kits for women.
He further explained that the humanitarian response, supported by STARTFUND, included medical care for 1,500 individuals, cash support for 1,800 households—benefiting 11,700 people—non-food items for over 10,000 individuals, and dignity kits for 1,500 women. Clean water and sanitation assistance were also provided to more than 11,000 people.
Although he acknowledged the cooperation of state and local authorities, security agencies, and the affected communities themselves, Habba maintained that the scale of the crisis required more than emergency intervention.
“Aid alone is not the solution,” he warned, calling for a coordinated national and international effort to restore peace and rebuild affected areas.
“What Benue needs is peace – sustainable, inclusive, and just peace. Let it be known that ActionAid Nigeria, Plan International, Cordaid, and Jireh Doo Foundation are not going anywhere. We remain committed, not as saviours, but as partners,” he added.
ActionAid’s latest statement adds to growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Benue and the wider Middle Belt region, where communities continue to bear the brunt of unchecked attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen.
Ebuka graduated with a second-class upper-division degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Political Science with a specialization in Government and Development Studies from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria. His academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of political dynamics and governance issues.