Rising hunger and poverty in Benue have led to an influx of non-displaced residents into the camp, posing as IDPs to receive food and aid.
Similar reports have been whispered across other states housing IDPs in the country, but only that of Benue is coming to the fore now.
There have also been reports of officials of IDP camps pilfering items and food meant for IDPs elsewhere from the north-west to the north-east.
Meanwhile, the growing humanitarian crisis in Benue State took a dramatic turn following allegations by a chef, Chef Victor Naira Tartenger, that he was harassed and assaulted while attempting to provide food to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Makurdi.
Chef Victor, who gained national attention during his Guinness World Record “cook-a-thon” attempt, claimed he was beaten by suspected political thugs loyal to the Benue State government during a visit to the Makurdi International Market IDP Camp. He alleged that the assault was carried out with the backing of state officials, particularly the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs.
According to a report by Benue Info-pedia, the chef was contracted by Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, Member of the House of Representatives for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, to provide meals for displaced persons affected by the Yelewata massacre. Chef Victor stated that while he was carrying out this task on Saturday, June 21, he was attacked and forcefully removed from the camp, allegedly to make way for another chef favored by the state government.
However, the management of the IDP camp has strongly denied these allegations, presenting a counter-narrative in a detailed statement. They seem to suggest that the economic situation in the state is causing non-displaced residents into the camp, posing as IDPs to receive food and aid.
“At approximately 5:00 AM, we instructed security to temporarily lock the camp gates due to increasing incidents of impersonation. This was done to ensure that only genuine victims received aid,” the camp management said.
The statement accused Chef Victor of refusing to comply with security procedures and misrepresenting the situation on social media.
“Rather than cooperate, Chef Victor jumped to conclusions and took to social media with false and damaging claims,” the management asserted. “No one asked him to leave. His behavior was disruptive and undermined the integrity of our operations.”
They further emphasised the necessity of strict security protocols, given the widespread attempts to exploit humanitarian efforts. According to the camp, many locals have been sneaking into the camp, pretending to be victims of the Yelewata massacre, receiving relief materials, and then returning to their homes in Makurdi town.
“The IDP camp remains open to genuine humanitarian efforts, but order and verification are essential. Chef Victor is advised to retract his statements and issue a public apology to both the camp and his sponsor, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, whose good name has been unfairly dragged into controversy,” the statement concluded.
The incident has sparked concern among humanitarian organisations and civil society groups, with some calling for an independent investigation into the matter.
As hunger and displacement worsen across Nigeria, the Benue crisis is a stark reminder of the fragile line between aid and politics—and the human toll when that line is crossed.
