An American missionary has claimed that the Benue State government is sabotaging his efforts to help rebuild Yelwata Village, which was recently attacked by bandits.
In June 2025, bandits attacked the Yelwata area in Benue State, resulting in numerous fatalities and significant destruction.
The missionary criticized the Benue State government, stating that his plans to rebuild essential community infrastructure, especially the local market, were stalled after officials informed him that the state had its own plans for the project.
He mentioned that he was told to wait for official building plans, which were promised within a few days but were never delivered, even after several weeks of follow-up inquiries.
The missionary also claimed that instead of permitting him to carry out a modest reconstruction project that would cost significantly less, the government later proposed a market project estimated at around ₦300 million.
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He questioned the rationale behind such a high cost, noting that similar markets in Nigerian villages and even larger cities typically do not require such funding.
Expressing concerns about transparency and accountability, he alleged that funds intended for victims of violence and vulnerable communities are being mismanaged and not reaching those in need.
He emphasized that aid should be managed with integrity, transparency, and proper oversight, irrespective of religious or ethnic backgrounds, to ensure that suffering communities genuinely benefit from relief and rebuilding efforts.
He stated,: “I had to approach the humanitarian commissioner to express my intentions and what I aimed to do.
“I was told that I was not permitted to build the market because the government had its own plans. They promised to send me the plans the next day or within two days. After waiting over two weeks without any response, I began to inquire about the situation.”
