Tragedy as two pregnant IDPs die in Benue community 

 Two expectant mothers who had been displaced by violence have reportedly died within a five-day span in Agagbe, located in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

Community sources disclosed on Monday that the victims, Aondona Dooshima, aged 30, and Sumali Blessing, 28 , died on February 26 and March 1, 2026, respectively.

A local resident, Terna, who requested anonymity, linked the tragic incidents to extreme hardship and poor access to medical services in the area.

He explained that Dooshima, who had fled from Tse Nongu Tswarev in Gaambe Ushin Council Ward, started suffering intense abdominal pains on February 26.

“She complained of abdominal pain, but the family had no money for proper medical care. 

When the pain persisted, she was taken to a clinic in Agagbe, where she later died,” he said.

Terna further revealed that as the community grappled with Dooshima’s death, another pregnant woman, Sumali Blessing, also lost her life. 

Blessing, originally from Tse Ameen in Mbapa Council Ward, reportedly became ill but was unable to secure proper treatment due to financial difficulties.

“The husband later took her to a primary healthcare centre in Abani on Sunday, but it was too late. She died the following day, and her body was deposited at the Agagbe morgue,” the source added.

According to him, both women and their families had relocated to Agagbe after fleeing attacks in their home communities. 

He urged the state authorities, humanitarian groups, and compassionate individuals to urgently intervene by improving healthcare access and providing welfare support to displaced residents.

Reacting to the development, the Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Tema Ager, clarified that the deceased were displaced persons but were not accommodated within the formal camp facility.

“The two women were not staying in the camp but were living within the host community,” Ager said.

The incidents have once again drawn attention to the difficult living conditions confronting displaced households across Benue, where many continue to battle inadequate healthcare, hunger, and other essential needs after years of violent attacks forced them to abandon their homes.

Agagbe is among the 14 officially recognised Internally Displaced Persons camps in Benue State.