The Federal Government, in collaboration with other partners, have concluded plans for the repatriation of over 20,000 Nigerians currently living in Cameroon and Chad.
Available statistics showed that as at 31st December, 2023, 21,381 Nigerian refugees reside in Chad, while 120,677 lives in Cameroon.
Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Ahmed, who spoke in Abuja after the end of a Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on the voluntary repatriation of Nigerian Refugees, said that no fewer than 6,000 Nigerians would be repatriated from Chad while 14,000 Nigerians would be repatriated from Cameroon in the next two months.
In 2023, Federal Government repatriated no fewer than 5,000 Nigerian refugees were voluntarily repatriated from Cameroon to Banki in Borno State.
During the year under review, the present administration also spent the sum of N2 billion for procurement of food and non-food items as return package for the repatriated Citizens, most of whom were displaced by the 2022 flood, the Boko Haram crisis, Farmer-Herders clash and current climate change challenges.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Hon. Ahmed said: “In the year 2023, the commission spearheaded the repatriation of 5,000 people living in Cameroon to the country.
“We are also arranging to bring back those who are interested in returning because repatriation is voluntary and an agreement has been signed between UNHCR, the government of Cameroon and the Federal Government of Nigeria in the area of repatriation of our people from Cameroon.
“We are going to work towards the repatriation of 6,000 Nigerians out of about 21,000 of them in Chad.
“We are looking at returning 3,000 households from Chad, which is about 6,000 people would be repatriated from Chad to Nigeria.
“For Cameroon, we have about 14,000 people but we will profile them because we don’t have to force anybody to return. Arrangements are underway to get them back. Within the next two months, we should have concluded the arrangement on repatriation.”
On the cost implication of the proposed repatriation, he said: “We are yet to determine the cost implication for the repatriation of our people from Chad and Cameroon but already, a Committee has been set up to look into that.
“By the time we get the total bill, the government of the Federation will intervene. Also, the Borno State government and the NCFRMI will work to ensure their smooth repatriation.
“Don’t be deterred about the financial implications. I want to tell you that the government of Nigeria will do everything humanly possible to ensure that money is being provided.
“They have done that before and I’m sure they’ll continue to do that. Don’t forget that in 2022 about 5,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Cameroon. It was the responsibility of the government and they did that.
“In 2002, we had a very serious flood that made some Nigerians leave the country, some left for Chad, Cameroon and other places. The Boko Haram crisis, farmers-herders clashes, and climate change were contributory factors to the displacement.
“No matter the number of the Refugees, the government will do everything humanly possible to return those of them that want to return.
In the bid to provide effective resettlement for the Returnees, NCFRMI helmsman disclosed that: “Rehabilitation is ongoing in Banki, and construction of houses is ongoing in Baga by the Borno State Government.
“We are arranging with the Borno state government to ensure that they are taken to skill acquisition centres. They will be trained and given start-up packs because the government cannot continue to fend for them for life and that is why we are giving them a durable solution which includes shelter and start-up packs.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Deputy Representative (Protection), Bernadette Muteshi who commended Federal Government for taking the lead in the repatriation exercise.
She said: “We are happy to see the government leadership in this endeavour. We are happy to note that the voices of Nigerians who want to return have been heard and acted upon.
“We will try to ensure that this process happens as soon as practically feasible by putting all elements together and we hope to support a credible process.
“We want to ensure that the basic human rights of these people are observed and upheld and we hope that all arrangements can be in place to meet the aspirations of people that we care for.”
