American Humanitarian, Alex Barbir warns Benue Government over Yelwata security

Alex Barbir, an American citizen and humanitarian who has been actively providing aid to Christian communities in Nigeria, has issued a stern warning to Nigerian authorities over the security of Yelwata following the recent rebuilding of the community.

Barbir, who has been on the ground overseeing reconstruction efforts, emphasised that the Nigerian government would be liable if Yelwata were attacked again. “The blood is on your hands. We’ve come in good faith, with good heart, to help the people, to rebuild where nobody is helping. But you are responsible to secure your own people,” he said.

Speaking about the ongoing security presence in the area, Barbir cautioned against assuming temporary protection is sufficient. “There’s security here now, but we can’t see that they leave in one month or two months. I can’t come back and see that Yelwata has been burned and killed again. If it happens, you are liable. It is your job to protect them,” he stated.

Barbir further assured that his work in Yelwata has the backing of the U.S. government, including Congressman Riley Moore. “They know what has been done here. They know the attack. They know I am here. They know that we have rebuilt Yelwata, and they support me,” he said. He also revealed that the geographical coordinates of Yelwata have been shared with U.S. officials for monitoring purposes.

The humanitarian appealed directly to local authorities to prioritise the safety of residents, urging, “Do your job. Protect your own people. Do not let anything happen to Yelwata again.”

Barbir’s warning comes against the backdrop of repeated attacks on communities in Benue State, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of vulnerable populations in the region.