Evangelist Tor Uja, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, has called for the immediate closure of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Nigeria, labelling them as “a massive fraud” that primarily benefits corrupt officials while keeping displaced citizens in perpetual hardship.
He made this strong declaration on Monday, July 14, 2025, during a gathering of Christian leaders from various denominations at the Mission House International Headquarters in Makurdi.
Tor Uja’s statement came after his recent assessment visits to displaced communities in Yelewata and Makurdi, where he witnessed firsthand the deteriorating conditions in the camps.
He insisted that the Benue State government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, must act swiftly to dismantle these facilities. “None of these camps has been productive,” he stated.
“They were designed as temporary shelters but have become long-term instruments of destruction. Every IDP camp is fraudulent and harmful to the people it claims to help.”
The cleric criticised the prolonged existence of the camps, arguing that rather than providing relief, they have institutionalised suffering and dehumanised their occupants. He urged authorities to shift focus from maintaining these camps to implementing permanent solutions, such as rebuilding destroyed communities and resettling displaced persons in secure, well-planned settlements near their original homes.
Uja also aimed at the Federal Government’s failure to decisively address the security crisis caused by herdsmen and bandits, which remains the root cause of mass displacements. Citing Israel and the United States as examples, he emphasised the need for strong, decisive action against security threats to restore peace and enable economic productivity in affected regions.
Additionally, Tor Uja appealed to Christian leaders to increase support for displaced communities through partnerships with traditional rulers and stakeholders, focusing on critical interventions in healthcare, education, and child welfare.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
