Boko Haram: Nigerian Refugees from Bosso to return home by the end of November

Boko Haram: Nigerian Refugees from Bosso to return home by the end of November

Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has spent two days in Diffa and Bosso provinces in neighboring Niger Republic, from where he led some Nigerian refugees on Thursday to undertake clearance exercise in Malam-Fatori, Headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area in northern Borno state in the northeast Nigeria.

Malam-Fatori, located in the fringes of Lake Chad. The town was violently occupied by Boko Haram for about six years before the military liberated the area and took control. 

Residents of Malum Fatori have been taking refuge in Bosso , a neighbouring town of Diffa in Niger republic, which is 5 km from Malam-Fatori in Abadam local government area on the Nigerian side.

Governor Zulum had travelled to Niger on Tuesday evening and spent the night at Diffa. 

He was received by the Governor of Diffa Province, Issa Lameen and discussed with the leaders on how to effectively collaborate on planned repatriation of refugees from Borno state.

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Both Governors on Wednesday, moved to Bosso town, which houses the Nigerian refugees who crossed over from Malam-Fatori at the height of the insurgency.

After meeting with the refugees, governor Zulum on Thursday led the refugees tour parts of Malam-Fatori for clearance exercise, and to ensure the town is ready to accommodate peace seeking people for resettlement.

Zulum’s visit was the latest of more than five previous visits, for assessments and reconstruction of homes and public services destroyed by Boko Haram during their violent occupation. 

He had also in July, 2021, inaugurated a committee to work out modalities for reconstruction and resettlement, the same way communities in Baga, Banki and Bama were assessed, rebuilt and resettled willing IDPs and refugees.

Speaking on the idea of returning refugees,  Zulum explained that safe relocation of the civilian population to Malam-Fatori will hopefully commence by the end of November 2021.

According to the governor, after that the government will explore the possibility of returning people to Abadam town, which was also occupied by insurgents.

Zulum expressed appreciation to the President of Niger Republic, Muhammadu Bazoum, the Governor of Diffa Province, Issa Lameen and humanitarian officials for their tremendous support to refugees from Borno who lived in Niger since 2014 when they fled from insurgents attack on their communities.

During his two days stay in Niger Republic, Governor Zulum supervised the distribution of N28.3m to 3,911 families taking refuge in Bosso.

Of the 3,911 total beneficiaries, 2,150 of them were female heads of households, while the remaining 1,761 were male heads of households.

Each of the female beneficiaries received a wrapper and N5,000 cash, while the male beneficiaries received N10,000 each.

Boko Haram: Nigerian Refugees from Bosso to return home by the end of November