U.S. missionary Alex Barbir has rebuilt 35 homes in Yelewata after a violent attack displaced residents and destroyed property. The reconstruction followed months of insecurity in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where residents fled their homes.
Alex Barbir’s rebuilding effort in Yelewata
The homes were rebuilt under Alex Barbir’s direct supervision through his humanitarian organisation, Building Zion. The project followed an attack that forced survivors into internally displaced persons camps and left the community severely damaged.
In an Instagram post, Barbir said Nigerian authorities remained responsible for ensuring the community’s safety after reconstruction. He warned that any renewed violence would represent a failure of state protection obligations, according to the post.
Security concerns following the Yelewata attack
The attack on Yelewata occurred in Guma Local Government Area, a region affected by recurring armed violence. Reports attributed the incident to suspected Fulani herdsmen or terrorist groups operating in the area.
Local accounts cited more than 100 deaths during the attack, primarily among Tiv Christian residents. Many survivors fled to displacement camps, leaving homes abandoned before reconstruction began.
Barbir said the rebuilding effort aimed to restore stability and dignity for displaced families. He added that the work continued despite limited external assistance available to the community.
“We have come in good faith to help the people rebuild where nobody is helping,” said Alex Barbir, Founder, Building Zion. “But the government is responsible for protecting its own people and preventing another attack.”
He added that security deployments must remain in place beyond the immediate reconstruction period. He warned against withdrawing security personnel once rebuilding activities concluded.
“If something happens again in Yelewata, the responsibility lies with the authorities,” said Barbir. “It is their duty to ensure that residents are not displaced or killed again.”
Barbir also said officials in the United States were aware of the attack and the rebuilding effort. He stated that members of the U.S. government were monitoring developments in the community.
The reconstruction included the commissioning of all 35 homes for returning families. Residents have begun resettling in the community following completion of the project.
Charity Journal has previously reported on the importance of protecting civilians during armed conflicts. Such protection remains critical to ensuring sustainable recovery in violence-affected communities.
The video has drawn reactions from viewers, with some commenters criticising what they described as foreign interference and questioning Nigeria’s sovereignty. Others defended Barbir’s actions, blaming political leadership failures and insecurity for creating conditions that allowed external humanitarian intervention.
