Chef Naira Victor, renowned for his Guinness World Record attempt tagged Cook-a-thon, was reportedly assaulted on Saturday morning by suspected political thugs while preparing meals for internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Makurdi International Market IDP camp in Benue State.
The camp, managed by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), is currently sheltering victims of the Yelewata massacre. According to Chef Victor, he was invited by the Federal lawmaker representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency to cook for the IDPs for one week—a task he had already commenced before the attack.
While on duty, Chef Victor alleged he was accosted by a group of thugs said to be working under the directive of a serving commissioner in the Benue State Government. He was beaten, harassed, and forced to leave the premises, reportedly on the claim that the state had engaged a different caterer for the feeding programme.
Speaking after the assault, Chef Victor described the attack as politically motivated, asserting that the issue was not about the food but the affiliation of the sponsor.
“I was beaten not because of what I came to do, but because the person who sent me is not in the Governor’s good books,” he said.
The incident has sparked criticism and raised concerns over politicisation of humanitarian interventions in the state.
