BENUE ACTIVIST SPEAKS ON ALEX BARBIR’S VISITS TO CONFLICT AREAS . (PHOTO).

 BENUE ACTIVIST SPEAKS ON ALEX BARBIR’S VISITS TO CONFLICT AREAS 

1st February, 2026     

A Benue State-based social media activist, D’naked Sughnen Yaaya, has weighed into the controversy surrounding the movement of an American humanitarian, Alex Barbir, across some local government areas in the state without prior notification to council authorities.

Yaaya acknowledged that local government chairmen were right to insist on courtesy and security protocols, stressing that such procedures are important for coordination and the safety of both visitors and host communities.

According to him, Barbir is an American citizen on a humanitarian mission, with a track record of interventions across several African countries. He said the humanitarian has implemented projects in parts of Nigeria, including Adamawa, Plateau and Taraba states.

“In Benue State, Alex Barbir recently commissioned 35 houses he rebuilt for displaced families in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, and he is planning to begin new projects,” Yaaya said.

He noted that Barbir had formally introduced himself to the Benue State Government and had engaged with key officials, including the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, the Secretary to the State Government, and other senior appointees of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

Yaaya further disclosed that Barbir had visited hard-to-reach forests and conflict-affected communities where even residents and security personnel expressed concerns about safety. He cited Kwande Local Government Area, where some of the locations visited were considered high-risk.

While agreeing that council chairmen deserved prior notice as a matter of courtesy, Yaaya revealed that he made several attempts to contact the Kwande council chairman ahead of Barbir’s visit but received no response.

He said he informed individuals close to the governor to serve as witnesses should the issue later be questioned.

The activist warned that genuine humanitarian efforts could be hijacked for political interests, noting that Barbir was largely unaware of the local political dynamics in Benue State.

“Alex is focused on helping affected communities. He does not belong to any political camp and was not brought to Benue by the government or any political group,” he said.

Yaaya added that discussions had since been held with Barbir and expressed confidence that, going forward, all necessary official and courtesy processes would be duly observed.