At least 1,000 vulnerable families affected by insecurity and communal violence across Benue State received relief materials from the Northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday during a humanitarian outreach in Makurdi, the state capital capital.
Major beneficiaries of the intervention were victims of the Yelwata attack and other conflict affected communities, many of whom have suffered displacement, loss of livelihoods, and prolonged humanitarian hardship.
The outreach was led by the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, who was accompanied by the Vice Chairman, Rev. Jona Samson; and the Director of Legal, Barrister Grace Kaka, among others. It was organised in collaboration with the United Kingdom based Barnabas Aid Foundation.
Relief materials included bags of rice, beans, maize, and garri, as well as palm oil and seasonings, aimed at addressing immediate food needs among affected households.
Distribution the distribution, Hayab said that the intervention was designed to provide urgent support to communities devastated by violent attacks, with particular attention given to victims of the Yelwata incident.
He explained that Northern CAN deliberately prioritised families directly affected by killings, displacement, and destruction of property in the state as a demonstration of solidarity and compassion, as well as a means of restoring hope to communities living under constant fear.
According to him, the Makurdi outreach formed part of a broader humanitarian programme being implemented across several northern states, including Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, and Benue, with more vulnerable communities expected to benefit in the coming days.
Hayab reiterated that no Nigerian should lose their life because of their faith, stressing that the church would continue to speak out against violence while standing with victims through practical support.
The CAN’s Deputy Chairman in the state, Rev. Jonathan Ugbede described the outreach as a historic moment for the church and the people of the state.
He expressed gratitude to the leadership of Northern CAN and the Barnabas Aid Foundation for what he described as an unprecedented show of concern and support for victims of insecurity in the state.
He noted that the state had endured persistent insecurity for more than 15 years, with repeated attacks in communities across Agatu, Kwande, Gwer West, and several other Local Government Areas.
He lamented that despite the scale of destruction and loss of lives over the years, affected communities had rarely received humanitarian support of such magnitude.
According to him, the halls used for the outreach were filled with relief materials brought by Northern CAN under the leadership of Hayab and its partners, a development he said would bring relief and encouragement to many families.
Ugbede added that the intervention would go a long way in cushioning the impact of displacement and food scarcity in the state, while offering prayers for continued strength and provision for the leadership of Northern CAN and its partners.
He said that, as beneficiaries returned to their homes, the joy and relief brought by the support would be evident, expressing confidence that God would continue to sustain the church in the face of adversity.
Also, Pastor Thomas Okwe Ahutu of Good News Baptist Church, Yelwata recounted how the attack on the community disrupted daily life and forced residents to live in constant fear.
He said that many families could no longer travel freely, engage in farming, worship without anxiety, or use electricity at night due to persistent security threats, adding that several churches in the area had also been affected.
Ahutu said that the relief materials would significantly ease the suffering of affected families, noting that many residents had depended on external assistance since the attack.
He explained that food scarcity had forced several households to drastically reduce their meals, with some families now eating only once a day due to lack of resources.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Esther Zeko, who is a survivor of the Yelwata attack, expressed gratitude to Northern CAN and the Barnabas Aid Foundation, describing the intervention as timely and deeply comforting.
She said that her family had struggled to cope since the incident, which she said claimed the life of her husband who was burnt inside their house during the attack by Fulani militias.
Zeko thanked the organisations for remembering them at a critical time, saying the support had brought renewed hope after months of hardship.
Northern CAN reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining humanitarian and advocacy efforts across northern Nigeria, disclosing that plans were underway to expand education, healthcare, and livelihood support programmes in 2026.
