US Breaks Silence on Benue Massacres as UN Delegation Arrives Nigeria

A high-level delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the U.S. Congress has visited Benue.

The visit follows recent violent attacks in Yelwata and surrounding villages, where several civilians were reportedly killed.

The delegation includes senior UNHCR officials and eight congressional staff members from the United States.

They visited Benue State Government House in Makurdi on a solidarity and fact-finding mission.

Jessie Ainslie, representing the UNHCR, led the international team to the state.

She confirmed that the crisis in Benue has reached Washington, D.C., and is under active U.S. review.

“Our hearts go out to you,” Ainslie told officials.

“Reports of the attacks have reached Washington. Americans are closely following the situation here in Benue.”

This confirms that the Benue crisis now has international attention at the highest levels of U.S. government.

The delegation’s visit is part of a broader humanitarian mission in Nigeria’s conflict zones.

They are evaluating how U.S. humanitarian assistance is impacting affected communities.

Before Benue, the team had visited Borno State, which is battling Boko Haram insurgency.

After Benue, they will return to Abuja for further consultations and policy briefings.

The U.S. aims to gather accurate data to inform future aid and security strategies.

Deputy Governor Sam Ode received the team on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

He thanked the UN and U.S. for showing concern for the state’s victims.

He confirmed that the delegation visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Makurdi’s International Market.

Thousands have lived in the camp for months, displaced by ongoing attacks.

“This visit shows your sincere concern for our people,” Ode said.

“We are transparent in our humanitarian operations and open to international partnership.”

Ode clarified that the Benue crisis is not religious, as often misunderstood.

He explained the root cause is land-use conflict between farmers and herders.

As farmlands shrink and grazing patterns become outdated, tensions and violence increase.

He said the state is promoting ranching as a permanent and peaceful solution.

“The President has directed security agencies to act without bias,” Ode added.

“We fully support this approach to restore order.”

Ainslie commended the government for allocating farmland to displaced communities.

She said this empowers IDPs to grow food and rebuild their lives independently.

“This is a powerful recovery model,” she said.

“Displaced persons can contribute economically if given the chance.

She praised the integration of recovery efforts with agriculture and peacebuilding.

The team is scheduled to visit Tartyo in Guma Local Government Area next.

They will meet with grassroots leaders and communities working on peacebuilding initiatives.

The visit is aimed at ensuring the safe, dignified return of displaced persons.

They will also assess how international aid can better support local peace efforts.

International Spotlight Now on Benue’s Crisis

This joint UN–U.S. visit marks a major international acknowledgment of Nigeria’s Middle Belt crisis.

Benue is plagued by ethnic, agricultural, and land resource clashes, with thousands displaced.

Experts believe this visit could unlock more global support, foreign aid, and peacekeeping attention.

Washington’s involvement signals rising global concern about Nigeria’s internal security challenges.

The world is now watching how Nigeria manages the growing humanitarian crisis in Benue.

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