Benue spends N160m on treatment of snakebite cases among IDPs

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said it has spent more than N160 million on the treatment of snakebite cases involving Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) between March and September 2026.

Our correspondent reports that the expenditure came amid allegations of dwindling food supplies and other challenges confronting displaced communities in the state.

The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, made the disclosure during an interview with some journalists in Makurdi.

He explained that the expenditure covered medical treatment and hospital bills for affected IDPs.

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He identified inadequate funding, shortages of medical personnel and limited transportation as major constraints affecting the agency’s ability to respond to the growing humanitarian needs of displaced persons.

Iorpuu also disclosed that the agency’s monthly food distribution had been significantly affected by declining supplies.

He said that SEMA distributed fewer than 2,000 bags of rice to IDPs in September, compared with its usual monthly distribution of more than 3,500 bags.

He noted, however, that the agency had continued providing food despite financial and logistical difficulties.

The SEMA chief said that beyond food distribution, the agency had intensified efforts to improve security monitoring and protection in IDP camps and host communities.

He disclosed that 248 community reporters had been trained to provide real-time information on security incidents and protection concerns, adding that reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence were referred to the police for appropriate action.

Iorpuu also said that 163 displaced children had enrolled in schools through an education-related intervention, with SEMA providing mobilisation and transportation support.

He added that the agency had relocated IDPs occupying school buildings in Naka to a designated settlement area to improve their living conditions and ease pressure on educational facilities.

The SEMA executive secretary further disclosed that the agency was working with humanitarian partners, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to establish settlement facilities and healthcare infrastructure for displaced persons.

He said approximately 110 IDPs had been moved to an area identified as Akile, where they were expected to access shelter and engage in farming to rebuild their livelihoods with an approximately 288 hectares of land reportedly provided by the state governor for the resettlement.

He explained that the initiatives were intended to decongest IDP camps, promote self-reliance and facilitate the eventual return of displaced persons to their ancestral communities when security conditions permitted.

Iorpuu, while responding to complaints from the camps about inadequate food, shortages of basic necessities and difficulties accessing healthcare, acknowledged that available resources remained insufficient to meet the needs of displaced persons.

However, he maintained that SEMA’s interventions extended beyond food distribution to include healthcare, education, protection, security monitoring and livelihood support.

Iorpuu also disputed claims that a planned protest by IDPs was driven by food shortages, alleging that some individuals had encouraged the demonstration over restrictions on visits to the camps.

Earlier, a leader at one of the IDP camps had described the challenges facing displaced residents as severe and multifaceted, citing irregular food distribution, lack of livelihoods, unsafe homes, inadequate shelter, poor sanitation, healthcare gaps and limited humanitarian support.

The camp leader who preferred anonymity, said IDPs were largely unable to farm or engage in regular employment because of displacement and therefore depended heavily on government assistance, humanitarian organisations and donations from individuals.

He noted that food distribution at the camp had become irregular despite earlier expectations that relief materials would be provided monthly.

The camp leader further explained that there had been periods of more than five months without food distribution, leaving many of the displaced people struggling with hunger.