The Borno State Government to Repatriate over 3,000 Refugees from Cameroon after 11 Years

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Government has finalised arrangements for the voluntary repatriation of more than 3,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon republic to their ancestral homes after 11 years.

This is in fulfillment of Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s commitment to repatriate and resettle all Nigerian refugees from Borno who are sheltering in neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger republics.

The operation is being conducted with the support of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

Chairman Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation and member of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, on Monday met with a Government delegation from Cameroon’s Far North Region and officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the Minawao Refugee Camp in Maroua.

The purpose of the meeting was to finalise logistical and other arrangements to ensure the refugees’ safe and dignified return.

During a visit to the camp in December 2025, Governor Zulum assured refugees willing to return that they would do so in a safe and dignified manner, marking a new chapter for families displaced by insurgency over 11 years ago.

The refugees, predominantly from communities in central and southern Borno, fled to Cameroon more than 11 years ago during the peak of the insurgency, which devastated villages, displaced families, and disrupted socio-economic life across the North-East.

During their stay, Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian partners provided shelter, healthcare, education, and other essential services. Many refugees were also allocated farmland to support agricultural activities, reducing aid dependency and allowing them to sustain their families with dignity.

With improved security in several parts of Borno and ongoing state-led reconstruction efforts, many refugees have expressed their readiness to return home voluntarily.

The Borno State Government has already provided buses and other logistical support for the movement of the refugees while the National Commission for Refugees will oversee and coordinate the repatriation mission in collaboration with Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian agencies.

“This is the fourth phase, which began in 2020. The process is going on smoothly in accordance with the tripartite and technical working group agreements,” Engr. Wakilbe stated.

“His Excellency, Governor Zulum, was here on 8 December 2025 and made commitments. As soon as they return home, all commitments will be fulfilled,” he assured.

In a related development, Engineer Wakilbe led a high-level delegation to the office of the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari.

During their meeting, Governor Bakari commended the Borno State Government for sustaining the longstanding and cordial bilateral relationship, noting that cooperation between the two countries has been instrumental in ensuring the protection, welfare, and orderly return of displaced persons across the border.
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Three soldiers killed in IED attack near Niamey, says Niger army sources

By: Zagazola Makama

At least three Nigerien soldiers were killed and 10 others injured on Sunday after an army patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED) in Bartchawal, Tillabéri Region, about 20 kilometres from the capital, Niamey.

Sources said that the incident occurred late in the day along the Niamey–Filingué road axis when the patrol was returning from routine operations in the area.

According to the sources, the IED detonated as the military convoy passed, killing three soldiers on the spot and injuring 10 others, who were evacuated to medical facilities in Niamey for treatment.

The attack was later claimed by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a jihadist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, in a statement released on Monday.

“This is the first attack claimed by JNIM in this area so close to the capital,” the sources noted.

They added that the Nigerien Armed Forces had reinforced security along the Niamey–Filingué corridor, with additional patrols and surveillance measures deployed to prevent further attacks and reassure residents.

Tillabéri Region, in western Niger, has in recent years faced persistent security challenges linked to insurgent activities spilling over from the tri-border area of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Three soldiers killed in IED attack near Niamey, says Niger army sources

Sexual Harassment, Rape and Substance Abuse: CP Directs Immediate Investigation

By: Our Reporter

The Yobe State Police Command has recorded another case of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) involving sexual assault and substance abuse, leading to the arrest of a suspect.

On 26th January, 2026 at about 12:30 hours, operatives of the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters arrested one Aliyu Yarima, aged 35 years, of Potiskum Local Government Area, following a distress report.

Preliminary investigation revealed that on 16th January, 2026 at about 10:00 hours, the suspect allegedly lured a 16-year-old girl (name withheld), of Babbangida town, and gave her a soft drink mixed with hard drugs, which rendered her unconscious. The suspect thereafter conveyed the victim in his vehicle to his residence in Babbangida town, where he allegedly raped her.

As a result of the assault, the victim sustained serious internal injuries. She was unable to report the incident immediately until her health condition deteriorated. Upon receipt of the report, police operatives promptly swung into action and rushed the victim to General Hospital, Babbangida, for medical examination, where the assault was medically confirmed.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, psc, fdc, has strongly condemned the act and directed an immediate, thorough, and discreet investigation to ensure justice is served.

The Command reiterates its commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and urges members of the public to promptly report cases of sexual abuse and other criminal acts to the nearest police station.
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