Over 600,000 Christians Now Displaced in Benue, U.S. Congressman Raises Serious Concern During Visit

December 11, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke

A United States lawmaker, Congressman Riley M. Moore of West Virginia’s 2nd District, has raised fresh alarm over the worsening humanitarian situation in Benue State, revealing that over 600,000 Christians are currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state.

Moore disclosed this after a fact-finding visit to Benue, where he met with displaced families and community leaders affected by ongoing violence in the region. According to him, the scale of displacement and the living conditions in the camps point to a crisis that requires urgent, coordinated international response.

The congressman stated that he spoke with “dozens of Christians who were driven from their homes and subjected to horrific violence,” noting that many victims narrated how they fled their communities in fear and have been unable to return due to persistent insecurity.

He described the situation as “deeply disturbing,” emphasizing that the number of displaced persons continues to rise, overstretching the limited resources available in IDP camps.

Moore’s observations come as humanitarian groups and local authorities repeatedly call for greater global attention to the insecurity affecting rural communities in Benue. He added that the United States and the international community must not ignore the crisis, stressing the need for stronger security measures, relief support, and long-term strategies to enable safe return of displaced residents.

Authorities in Benue have consistently appealed for federal assistance, warning that prolonged displacement has far-reaching social and economic consequences for the state.

Moore’s visit and subsequent statement are expected to reignite conversations around insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and the urgent need for sustained intervention.