An American missionary has accused the Benue State Government of deliberately frustrating his efforts to rebuild Yelwata village, which was recently attacked by bandits.
The missionary alleged that his plan to construct a market for residents of the affected community was rejected by the state government, which claimed it already had plans to build the facility. According to him, after weeks of waiting, the government sent him a market design estimated at ₦300 million—an amount he described as grossly inflated.
He maintained that the market could be rebuilt for between ₦50 million and ₦60 million, insisting that no rural market in Nigeria should cost ₦300 million.
“There is no market in any Nigerian village or town that is worth ₦300 million,” he said. “Not one. Zero. Even in cities, very few markets cost that much.”
Recounting his interaction with state officials, the missionary said he formally informed the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs of his intention to assist the community but was told he was not permitted to proceed.
“I went to the humanitarian commissioner and let them know of my desire to help here,” he said. “I was directed that I’m not allowed to build the market. They said the government had plans and promised to send me the blueprint in a day or two.”
He added that despite waiting for over two weeks without feedback, he later received a video presentation of a ₦300 million market plan for Yelwata.
“While they told me I can’t build and I would spend maybe ₦50 or ₦60 million to rebuild everything, they are considering a ₦300 million market here,” he said. “I asked them, which market in Nigeria is worth ₦300 million?”
The missionary further alleged that some individuals were exploiting the hardship of communities affected by bandit attacks for personal gain, rather than ensuring that relief funds reach those in need.
“My personal opinion is that people are using funds meant for the persecuted and the afflicted,” he said. “Whether Christian or Muslim, it doesn’t matter—people are suffering in Nigeria. Funds meant to rebuild, provide food and aid are not reaching the people.”
He called for transparency and accountability in the management of humanitarian funds, stressing the need for integrity in government-led reconstruction efforts.
“There needs to be purity in how funds are handled and accountability for what is being spent,” he added.
