by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria on Wednesday carried out a humanitarian outreach in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where it distributed relief materials to no fewer than 1,000 vulnerable families affected by insecurity and communal violence across the state.
Major beneficiaries of the intervention were victims of the Yelewata attack and other conflict affected communities, many of whom have suffered displacement, loss of livelihoods, and prolonged humanitarian hardship.
The initiative was led by Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and accompanied by the Vice Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Dr. Jona Samson, along with Director of Legal, Barrister Dr Grace Kaka, among others, in collaboration with the United Kingdom-based Barnabas Aid Foundation.
The relief materials distributed to the beneficiaries included bags of rice, beans, maize and garri, as well as palm and groundnut oil, sugar, and seasonings, aimed at addressing immediate food needs among affected households.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, Rev. Hayab said the intervention was designed to provide urgent support to communities devastated by violent attacks, with particular attention given to victims of the Yelewata incident.
He explained that Northern CAN deliberately prioritized families directly affected by killings, displacement, and destruction of property in Benue State as a “demonstration of solidarity and compassion,” as well as a means of restoring hope to communities living under constant fear.
According to him, the Makurdi outreach formed part of a broader humanitarian programme being implemented across several northern states, including Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, and Benue, with more vulnerable communities expected to benefit in the coming days.
Rev. Hayab reiterated that no Nigerian should lose their life because of their faith, stressing that the church would continue to speak out against violence, while standing with victims through practical support.
On his part, Deputy Chairman of CAN in Benue State, Rev. Jonathan Ugbede, described the outreach as a historic moment for the church and the people of the state.
He expressed gratitude to the leadership of Northern CAN and the Barnabas Aid Foundation for what he described as an “unprecedented show of concern and support” for victims of insecurity in Benue.
Rev. Ugbede noted that Benue State had endured persistent insecurity for more than 15 years, with repeated attacks in communities across Agatu, Kwande, Gwer West, and several other local government areas.
He lamented that, despite the scale of destruction and loss of lives over the years, affected communities had rarely received humanitarian support of such magnitude.
According to him, the halls used for the outreach were filled with relief materials brought by Northern CAN, under the leadership of Rev. Hayab and its partners, a development he said would bring relief and encouragement to many families.
Rev. Ugbede added that the intervention would go a long way in cushioning the impact of displacement and food scarcity in the state, while offering prayers for continued strength and provision for the leadership of Northern CAN and its partners.
He said that as beneficiaries returned to their homes, the joy and relief brought by the support would be evident, expressing confidence that God would continue to sustain the church in the face of adversity.
Also speaking, Pastor Thomas Okwe Ahutu of Good News Baptist Church, Yelewata, recounted how the attack on the community disrupted daily life and forced residents to live in constant fear.
He said many families could no longer travel freely, engage in farming, worship without anxiety, or use electricity at night due to persistent security threats, adding that several churches in the area had also been affected.
Pastor Okwe said the relief materials would significantly ease the suffering of affected families, noting that many residents had depended on external assistance since the attack.
He explained that food scarcity had forced several households to drastically reduce their meals, with some families now eating only once a day due to lack of resources.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Esther Zeko, a survivor of the Yelewata attack, expressed gratitude to Northern CAN and the Barnabas Aid Foundation, describing the intervention as “timely and deeply comforting.”
She said her family had struggled to cope since the incident, which she said claimed the life of her husband, who was burnt inside their house, during the attack by Fulani militias.
Mrs. Zeko thanked the organisations for remembering them at a critical time, saying the support had brought renewed hope after months of hardship.
Northern CAN reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining humanitarian and advocacy efforts across northern Nigeria, disclosing that plans were underway to expand education, healthcare, and livelihood support programmes in 2026.