American humanitarian Alex Barbir, founder of Building Zion, has accused the Nigerian government of allowing more than ₦4 billion donated for survivors of the June 2025 Yelewata massacre in Benue State to disappear while victims remain in displacement camps.
Barbir said the funds were raised specifically to help families who lost their homes and loved ones after over 100 Christians, and in some reports more than 200, were killed in a single night by suspected Fulani terrorist groups.
Instead of handing donations to Nigerian or Benue State officials, Barbir said he refused to route any funds through government channels, citing past cases where relief money “could not be properly accounted for.”
He said billions meant for Yelewata victims were collected but never reached the people, leaving many survivors without toilets, food, housing, or medical care.
Because of this, Building Zion directly funded and supervised the rebuilding of 35 homes, boreholes, clinics, and churches in Yelewata to ensure donations were not lost or diverted.
Barbir also warned that if Yelewata is attacked again after the reconstruction, the Nigerian government will be held responsible, adding that the situation is being closely monitored by the United States government.
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