FIC Report (Borno State) – The Borno State government on Thursday concluded the repatriation of the fourth and final batch of Nigerian refugees, with the arrival of 680 refugees (162 households) from the Minawao Refugee Camp, Cameroon, to Banki, Bama Local Government Area, marking the culmination of the fourth phase of the exercise.
The process was supported by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
This phase, which began on 27th January, started with the arrival of 300 people in Pulka, Gwoza local government, and subsequently in Banki, Bama local government.
In his farewell message, Governor of Cameroon’s Far North region, Minjinyawa Bakari, lauded Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his unwavering support and commitment to the safe and dignified return of the refugees.
Governor Bakari urged the refugees returning to their ancestral homes to be productive citizens and rebuild their lives.
Upon arrival, the refugees were warmly received at the Nigerian border by the Commanding Officer of the 152 Task Force Battalion, Lt Col Michael Ndubisi, the District Head, Mohammed Shehu Umar, and other dignitaries. They were taken to a reception facility and later to their UNHCR-supported homes built by the Borno State Government.
Addressing the returnees at the reception facility in Banki, Chairman of the Repatriation Committee, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe cautioned them against exploiting the repatriation process for economic gains.
He warned that the government would verify its database to identify individuals who had already settled in Banki without cancelling their refugee status and that such individuals would face consequences, including exclusion from housing and return packages.
“Let me sound a strong warning that the government would verify its database to identify individuals who had already settled in Banki without cancelling their refugee status. Any individual found culpable would face consequences, including exclusion from housing and return packages,” Wakilbe warned.
Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe once again appreciated the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hon Tijjani Aliyu Ahamed, for the support.
He explained that Governor Babagana Zulum’s return packages included ₦ 100,000 per head of household, ₦ 20,000 for each wife, mattresses, and wrappers.
On its part, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons also provided essential food items, including bags of rice, beans, millet, cooking oil, and seasoning.
A total of 3,122 individuals (557 households) have successfully returned to Bama and Gwoza Local Government Areas.
Signed
Bunu A.Abdulsalam
Hoc Fic Maiduguri.
