Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has led a high-profile Nigerian delegation to Baga Sola in the Republic of Chad to facilitate the repatriation of refugees who fled the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to a statement released on Thursday, the displaced persons—mostly Borno indigenes—have spent nearly a decade in Chad after insurgency-related violence forced them from their homes in communities around the Lake Chad Basin.
The delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, and the Federal Commissioner/CEO of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, was received in Baga Sola by the Governor of Lac Province, Saleh Tidjani.
As part of the first phase of the repatriation exercise, 1,768 families, comprising 7,790 individuals, will be returned to Nigeria. “In the first batch of the repatriation exercise, about 1,768 families comprising 7,790 people will return to Nigeria,” the statement confirmed.
Before the repatriation process began, Zulum participated in the signing of a tripartite agreement between Nigeria, Chad, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Speaking at the event, Zulum stressed that only those who voluntarily expressed their willingness to return would be repatriated. He also expressed appreciation to the Chadian government for accommodating thousands of displaced Nigerians.
The Nigerian delegation also included Abdulkadir Ibrahim Ghani, Head of Chancery at the Nigerian Embassy in N’Djamena; Borno State House of Assembly member representing Kukawa, Hon. Karta Maina Ma’aji; and Commissioners Prof. Usman Tar (Information) and Sugun Mai Mele (Local Government Affairs). Mustapha Ali Busuguma, Permanent Secretary of the Government House, was also present.
Commending Zulum’s efforts, Minister Sununu lauded his leadership and cooperation with the federal government. “I want to thank the Executive Governor of Borno State for showing leadership during crises and serving as a role model in terms of complete collaboration with the federal government and for providing all the necessary support,” Sununu stated.
