Boko Haram: Borno Gov’t Sets To Reunite 1.8Million IDPs, Refugees With Their Communities

Borno State government announced that Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and refugees who fled from the state due to insurgent attacks a couple of years ago will be reunited with their communities soon.

The state governor, Babagana Zulum, on Monday, August 3 while receiving the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the United Nations, Alexander Kishara, at the Government House in Maiduguri, the state capital, disclosed that about 1,860,000 IDPs would be returned to their various homes.

Naija News understands that the IDPs about five years ago fled their communities due to a series of attacks by the deadly Boko Haram insurgents.

According to Zulum, his administration has commenced preparation to ensure their safe return to 19 communities in the state, adding that the communities are presently secured for the safety of the lives of occupants. He added that there are over 300,000 refugees to be repatriated from Cameroon and Niger back to the state.

The professor governor further hinted that his administration will ensure that all important things needed to be done for returnees; for their well being and to reduce problems of donor fatigue has been put into consideration.

He said, “the humanitarian needs are to provide an enabling environment for IDPs and refugees restore their means of livelihoods,” adding that the displaced persons, will be returned to 19 communities, including Damasak, Banki, Kauwuri, Ajiri, New Marte, Baga, Ngoshe, Kirawa, Kukawa, Mairari, and Mallam Fatori, located on shores of Lake Chad.

The other eight communities that will receive the returnees comprise Wulgo, Koine, Gajibo, Warabe, Logmani, Sandiya, Dalwa, and Malari in both northern and central Borno State, Naija News learnt.

“It is better to spelt out the intension of state government so that the Return Task Force (RTF) can effectively work with State’s Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR),” he added.

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has stated earlier that he is unfazed and unshaken despite the recent attack on his convoy by suspected members of Boko Haram.