Obi pledges ₦15 million for Yelewata massacre survivors, nursing college

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged ₦15 million to support survivors and families affected by the June 2025 massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Mr Obi announced the pledges in a statement on Wednesday after visiting the community, where he said he met families affected by the attack.

He pledged ₦10 million to support the education of children orphaned by the massacre and another ₦5 million for the construction of a borehole to improve access to clean water.

“No child should be forced to let the tragedy that has affected their family determine the course of their future,” Mr Obi said.

He acknowledged that the financial support could not compensate for the lives lost or the suffering of survivors.

“Although no financial contribution can restore the lives lost or remove the suffering endured by their loved ones, we have a responsibility to do everything within our power to renew hope, preserve dignity, and create opportunities for those affected,” he said.

The Yelewata community was attacked in June 2025, leaving scores dead and many others displaced.

The incident attracted national and international attention over persistent attacks on rural communities in Benue.

Support for nursing college

During the visit, Mr Obi also pledged an additional ₦10 million to the College of Nursing Sciences in Gboko, established under the leadership of the Catholic Bishop of Gboko, William Avenya.

He said he had supported the institution since its inception and made the latest pledge to strengthen its operations.

“Supporting education and healthcare is an investment in our collective future,” he said.

Mr Obi also visited the Tor Tiv in Gboko, where he said they discussed issues relating to development, peace and the welfare of the people.

Earlier disagreement

Mr Obi’s visit to Yelewata followed previous disagreements with the Benue State Government over his planned visits to communities affected by insecurity.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on 8 September that Mr Obi’s convoy was forced to turn back after suspected thugs and security operatives confronted it along Gboko Road in Makurdi.

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His campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, alleged that the men were sponsored to prevent the presidential candidate from entering the state. The NDC governorship candidate, Terhemba Shija, also accused the state government of involvement. The allegations had not been independently verified.

In April 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia had also cautioned Mr Obi against making what he described as an unscheduled visit to internally displaced persons in the state, citing security and protocol concerns.

Ahead of Wednesday’s visit, Mr Shija again accused the state government of planning to disrupt Mr Obi’s movement to Yelewata. The government denied the allegation, saying it had no plan to interfere with the visit and would ensure visitors’ safety.

In his statement after the visit, Mr Obi thanked Governor Alia, saying he had contacted him before travelling to Benue and the governor had personally returned his call to assure him of a warm reception.

The visit ended with a town hall meeting in Makurdi, attended by Mr Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other NDC candidates in the state.