Outrage as Benue govt, US missionary ‘clash’ over N300m proposal to rebuild Yelwata market

Eight months after the deadly Yelwata massacre in Benue State, a fresh controversy has erupted over the rebuilding of the devastated community, following a public disagreement between the Benue State Government and a United States-based missionary over a proposed N300 million market project.

IDOMA VOICE reports that the dispute surfaced after the missionary, Alex Babir, who has been actively involved in rebuilding homes destroyed during the attack, questioned the cost and transparency surrounding the planned market, describing the ₦300 million figure as excessive and unjustifiable for a rural community like Yelwata.

Babir, who has so far rebuilt about 38 houses for displaced residents, said he was initially prevented from constructing a market after being informed that the state government already had plans for the project.

He claimed that despite assurances that official designs would be shared, none was forthcoming for weeks.

According to him, the situation changed when he was later shown a video presentation of what he described as a ₦300 million market proposal, a figure he said he could not reconcile with the scale and needs of the community.

“What market in any village is worth ₦300 million?” Babby asked, insisting that similar facilities could be built at a fraction of the cost without compromising quality.

He further accused state humanitarian agencies of mismanagement and diversion of funds meant for victims of violent attacks, alleging that resources donated for displaced persons were not reaching those most in need.

The Benue State Government, however, rejected the allegations, dismissing the claims as misleading and inaccurate.

The State Commissioner for Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction said the government never requested funds from the missionary to build the market, stressing that the ₦300 million figure referenced by Babby did not originate from the ministry.

The commissioner explained that the government operates a structured resettlement model and would not allow ad-hoc interventions that fail to meet minimum standards for displaced persons.

“We cannot return people to the same conditions under which they were displaced,” the commissioner said, adding that the government reserves the right to determine how and where resettlement projects are executed.

He also disclosed that the state government, in collaboration with development partners including the UNHCR, is rebuilding key infrastructure in Yelwata, including a healthcare facility estimated to cost over ₦300 million.

Despite the disagreement, the government acknowledged the missionary’s contribution in rebuilding homes and maintaining engagement with the community.

Meanwhile, community leaders and survivors have appealed for greater transparency, speed, and coordination in the rebuilding process, warning that prolonged delays and disputes could further traumatize residents already struggling to recover from the massacre.