Borno State Welcomes 705 Displaced Returnees from Cameroon
Borno State Welcomes 705 Displaced Returnees from Cameroon
A second group of 705 Nigerian refugees has officially returned home to Banki town in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
These individuals, comprising 85 households, were repatriated from Cameroon where they had sought refuge following years of displacement caused by insurgency in the Northeast region.
The returnees were seen off in Maroua, Cameroon, on Thursday by the Governor of the Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari.
Their arrival marks a significant milestone in the ongoing voluntary repatriation and resettlement program, which aims to return displaced Nigerians to their ancestral communities under safe and dignified conditions.
Upon arriving in Banki, the refugees were warmly received by a delegation led by the Commanding Officer of the 152 Task Force Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ndubusi, and the District Head of Banki, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Umar. Following their arrival, the returnees were moved to a designated reception center to undergo registration and other necessary administrative formalities.
This latest movement follows a previous exercise earlier in the week where 300 refugees were successfully resettled in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area. These combined efforts represent the fourth phase of a large-scale repatriation exercise coordinated between the Nigerian and Cameroonian governments alongside international partners.
To ensure a smooth transition, officials confirmed that the returnees will be accommodated in newly constructed houses. This housing project is a collaborative effort supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and implemented directly by the Borno State Government to provide permanent shelter for the displaced.
The Chairman of the Repatriation Committee, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, expressed his gratitude to the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijjani Aliyu Ahamed, for his unwavering support.
He emphasized that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration remains committed to rebuilding and rehabilitating communities affected by conflict.
In addition to housing, the state government has approved significant financial and material support packages for the returnees.
Each household head is set to receive ₦100,000, while each wife will receive ₦20,000, along with essential items such as mattresses and wrappers to help them settle back into their daily lives.
Highlighting the importance of this humanitarian effort, Lawan Abba Wakilbe stated: “Beyond bricks and mortar, the state government is providing direct assistance to ease the transition back home.” This comprehensive approach is designed to help families not only find shelter but also regain their independence and peace as they begin to rebuild their lives.
