Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum and some Federal Government officials are in Cameroon to repatraite 9,800 refugees back to state.
There are about about 46,000 Nigerian refugees in Minawo camp in Cameroon.
The meeting was announced via a pres statement signed by Mallam Isa Gusau, media aide to the governor.
He said Borno state governor arrived Marwa in Cameroon alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development towards the voluntary repatriation of 9,800 Nigerians.
He said the 9,800 constitute the first batch of citizens who have shown willingness to be evacuated to resettlement houses built by the Borno State Government in Bama and Banki towns.
Gusau said, “Zulum is in Cameroon alongside the Perm Sec Fed Min of Humanitarian Affairs, Malam Bashir Nura Alkali and the ministry’s humanitarian director, Ali Grema, some officials from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, the governor’s adviser on External and Liaison Services, Ambassador Adamu Abbas who is also a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) established for the implementation of the tripartite repatriation agreement; a member of House of Representatives representing Bama, Ngala, Kala-Balge federal constituency of Borno State, Zainab Gimba, chairperson of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, commissioner for local government and emirate affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, special adviser on projects monitoring and evaluation, Engr Abba Wakilbe and the governor’s principal secretary, Bar Mustapha Busuguma.
“Today’s (Wednesday) meeting is in line with provisions of the tripartite agreement which has spelt out international best practices on humanitarian issues involving movements of persons between two or more countries as well as roles and limitations of all parties, and the protection of the rights of refugees who can only be repatriated at their own will.”
“The majority of refugees at the Minawao camp are mostly from Borno State and have regularly appealed to Governor Babagana Zulum to spearhead their repatriation.”
In September 2019, Zulum during his trip to the camp had promised the refugees that he would in response to their appeal work with stakeholders towards their successful repatriation and dignified resettlement.
