Thugs suspected to be loyal to the Governor of Benue State have reportedly caught up with and beaten Chef Victor to stupor at the International Market Camp of internally displaced people of Yelweta.
A report by BENUE info-pedia on Facebook on Saturday, June 21, 2025 said that the IDPs of the Yelweta massacre were camped at the Makurdi International Market by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
According to the report, “As they take refuge, people of goodwill approach the camp to make donations.”
The report quoted Chef Naira Victor to have said that he was approached by the Federal lawmaker for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituéncy to cook for the IDPs for one week which he had begun.
He claimed that while in the process on Saturday, he was harassed, beaten, and asked to leave the camp by thugs.
The act was allegedly carried out with the support of the Benue State humanitarian Commissioner.
He said they claimed that another chef had been contracted to cook for the displaced persons.
According to the report, “the chef, however, feels this awful act was executed because the sponsor of the activity was not in the good books of the Governor of Benue State.”
It would be recalled that Chef Victor had attempted Guinness World Record for the longest time spent cooking, an adventure he tagged “cook-a-thon.”
● Enoygh of the misrepresentation: Chef Victor’s claims are false, unacceptable
Meanwhile, a counter narrative has emerged, faulting Chef Victor’s claims.
Read it: “It got to the notice of the camp management yesterday that, most residents of Makurdi town do enter the camp and pretend to be victims of the Yelewata massacre, but after receiving food and non food items, they sneak back to their various homes.
“At approximately 5:00 AM, in response to the alarming surge in individuals falsely claiming to be victims of the Yelewata massacre, the Camp Management gave a stringent directive to the security personnel to temporarily lock the camp gates and never to allow anyone in until the exercise was over.
“This strategic action was aimed solely at verifying the identities of genuine IDPs and ensuring that relief materials and services are rightly directed to those who are truly in need.
“While this exercise was ongoing, Chef Victor Tartenger, who sponsored by Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, Member representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, to provide meals for displaced persons for 10 days arrived at the gate.
“Instead of seeking clarification or cooperating with camp security and camp management, Tartenger became unapproachable and hastily jumped to conclusions and later stormed to social media platforms with baseless accusations, claiming he was “pursued” out of the camp.
“Let it be categorically stated: NO ONE sent Chef Victor Tartenger away. His claims are not only false but deeply irresponsible and damaging.
“It is disheartening that an individual entrusted with the noble task of serving vulnerable people would turn around to peddle misleading narratives for reasons best known to him.
“The camp’s current security measures are born out of necessity. With increasing reports of impersonation and exploitation of the humanitarian system, it is imperative to maintain strict protocols to protect legitimate IDPs and uphold the integrity of the relief process.
“His actions according to eye witnesses not only disrespected camp authorities but have also threatened the credibility of an operation meant to bring hope and sustenance to real victims of tragedy.
“The general public [sic] should disregard the false narrative being circulated. The IDP camp remains committed to transparency, order, and fairness in its dealings, and shall never prevent anyone from offering Humanitarian services to the vulnerable.
“Chef Tartenger is hereby advised to retract his statements and tender a public apology to the camp management, and Hon. Dickson Tarkighir whose good name and intentions should not be dragged into disrepute by such reckless conduct.
“In times of humanitarian crisis, unity, discipline, and truth must prevail. Anything less is a betrayal of those who suffer the most.”
[Cr – Ohitty TV/Radio]
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