Bama, Borno State — A total of 705 Nigerian refugees have voluntarily returned from Cameroon to Banki town in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, as part of the ongoing repatriation and resettlement programme for displaced persons affected by insurgency.
The returnees, comprising 85 households, were displaced for several years due to insecurity in the region. They were officially seen off on Thursday in Maroua, Cameroon, by the Governor of the Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari, marking another milestone in cross-border efforts to resettle Nigerian refugees.
Earlier in the week, about 300 refugees were repatriated to Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the fourth phase of the voluntary return programme.
Upon arrival in Banki, the refugees were received by the Commanding Officer of the 152 Task Force Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ndubusi, alongside the District Head of Banki, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Umar. They were subsequently taken to a reception centre for registration and other official processes.
Authorities confirmed that the returnees will be housed in newly constructed homes, built with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and implemented by the Borno State Government.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration has continued to prioritise the rebuilding, rehabilitation and resettlement of conflict-affected communities, aimed at restoring stability and enabling displaced families to rebuild their lives.
Speaking during the exercise, Chairman of the Repatriation Committee, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, expressed appreciation to the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijjani Aliyu Ahamed, for his support.
Wakilbe disclosed that Governor Zulum approved financial and material support for the returnees, with each household head receiving ₦100,000, while each wife will receive ₦20,000, alongside mattresses and wrappers.
“Beyond rebuilding homes, the state government is providing direct assistance to ease the transition back to normal life,” Wakilbe said.
Also speaking, a director at the commission, Murdakai Titus, handed over food items and building materials to the refugees, noting that the support was meant to address their immediate needs and improve shelter conditions, as more refugees are expected to return in subsequent phases.
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