Popular Benue chef and social media influencer, Tartenger Victor, has raised public concern after he was allegedly barred from entering the International Market IDP Camp in Makurdi, where he had gone to provide free meals for victims displaced by the recent Yelewata massacre.
Chef Victor, who has built a strong following through his philanthropic cooking outreaches, disclosed the incident in a Facebook post shortly after it occurred.
He lamented being stopped at the gate by security personnel, who allegedly took issue with the fact that his visit was supported by Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, a prominent political figure in the state.
> “I was denied access to come in and cook today because I mentioned that Hon Dickson Tarkighir supported me to come and cook. The way you people politicize everything in this state is so annoying,” he wrote.
The chef further claimed that he was harassed by the security team manning the entrance, describing the experience as both frustrating and heartbreaking.
He expressed disappointment over what he perceived as the unnecessary politicization of humanitarian efforts, particularly during a time of grief and displacement.
The incident has since gone viral online, sparking outrage among social media users and civil society advocates.
Many are calling on the authorities to investigate the situation and ensure that humanitarian assistance is not hindered by political affiliations.
“People are suffering, and instead of welcoming support, you are blocking it because of politics? This is shameful,” one user wrote.
The Yelewata attacks, which occurred recently in Guma Local Government Area, left scores dead and hundreds displaced.
Many of the survivors, including women and children, are currently sheltering in makeshift camps around Makurdi.
Efforts by private citizens like Chef Victor have been hailed as critical lifelines for displaced persons, with many urging the government to create an enabling environment for humanitarian services to thrive—regardless of who is behind them.
As of the time of filing this report, camp authorities and government officials are yet to issue a formal statement addressing the incident.
