Evangelist Tor Uja, the former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, has asked the government to shut down all Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Nigeria. He described the camps as fraudulent, saying they only benefit a few people while those who truly need help are left to suffer.
He made this bold statement on Monday, July 14, 2025, during a meeting with Christian leaders from different churches at the Mission House International Headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State.
Uja shared his thoughts after visiting displaced people living in camps in Yelewata and Makurdi. What he saw during the visits pushed him to speak out.
According to him, the camps were meant to be a short-term solution but have now caused more harm than good. “These camps have become places of long-term suffering,” he said, urging both the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to shut them down immediately. “Every IDP camp is a fraud and a destructive element,” he added.
Uja believes that the camps are no longer useful and are making life harder for those who live there. He said the people are being dehumanized instead of helped.
He called on the government to rebuild the communities that were destroyed and to relocate displaced persons to better and safer places near their original homes.
The evangelist also criticised the Federal Government for failing to take strong action against the ongoing security problems caused by herdsmen and bandits.
He pointed to countries like Israel and the United States as examples of how to deal with such threats firmly and directly.
“We need a new way of looking at our people and their environment,” he said. He added that Nigeria needs serious actions to help its citizens live in peace and contribute to the country’s development.
Finally, Uja encouraged Christian leaders to increase their support for displaced people. He urged them to work with traditional leaders and others to help provide basic needs like healthcare, education, and protection for children in affected communities.
