Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, on Monday held a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari as he seeks the federal government assistance in the repatriation of the over 200,000 Borno State indigenes who fled the Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists to the neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic.
Governor Zulum said that the security situation in the State has improved hence the need to bring them back.
Zulum told journalists after a meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja that “now that we have started witnessing gradual return of peace to Borno State, these people that are taking refuge in our neighbouring countries are willing to return home.
“Therefore, Borno State government picked a date of 27th of November 2021 for the commencement of the repatriation process, especially to local government areas of Abadam and Guzamala.
“So, I came to brief Mr. President, to solicit his support, with the view to ensuring hitch-free repatriation exercise.”
On what it will cost to implement the repatriation, he said: “I can’t quantify, but I think the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with its agencies; NEMA, the Refugee Commission and indeed the Northeast Development Commission, lastly the Borno State government, have the capacity to shoulder the responsibility of the repatriation exercise.”
On the fate of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) still in camps in the State, Governor Zulum said government is also working on returning them to their communities.
Said the Governor: “On the issue of internally displaced persons, yes the IDP camps are not palatable, that is why the government of Borno State and indeed the federal government, are exploiting the potentials of resettling them back to their own communities or relocating them to areas that are safe,” he stated.