NEMA deploys food and relief items to over 6,500 displaced persons in Benue following deadly attack that killed 20 and injured dozens in Daudu community
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed emergency relief items to support thousands of people displaced by a recent violent attack in Daudu, Benue State.
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The humanitarian response follows a joint rapid assessment by NEMA, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and security operatives.
According to a statement issued by NEMA on Tuesday night, the agency’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, activated the North Central Zonal Office to coordinate the distribution of relief materials. Zonal Director Mr Aliyu Waziri is overseeing the operation in collaboration with Benue SEMA.
The relief package includes essential food items such as parboiled rice, maize, spaghetti, tomato paste, and vegetable oil, alongside non-food items like mattresses, iodised salt, and seasoning.
These efforts aim to provide immediate succour to displaced households, many of whom are now sheltered in a temporary Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Makurdi International Market.
As of Tuesday evening, 1,069 households—totalling 6,527 individuals—had been registered at the camp. The affected population includes 1,768 women, 759 men, 657 children, 252 lactating mothers, 82 pregnant women, and 91 elderly persons.
Over 3,000 individuals, including many women and children, have been displaced and are in urgent need of food, non-food items, potable water, and essential medical supplies.
Tragically, the attack also claimed the lives of 20 individuals who succumbed to injuries in hospital, while 46 others were initially rushed to medical centres.
Among the dead were two Nigerian Army soldiers and one officer from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were killed in an ambush while responding to the scene.
NEMA’s official X handle @nemanigeria reported that casualty figures remain fluid due to ongoing security concerns and access limitations in parts of Daudu.
It added that additional assessments are being conducted to determine further support needs as rescue operations continue.
Security forces, including the Benue State Police Command, confirmed that some of the attackers were neutralised during exchanges of gunfire.
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Meanwhile, NEMA has reiterated its commitment to working with national and international partners such as the UNHCR, IOM, and Red Cross to restore stability and normalcy to the community.
