FG repatriates 7,790 Nigerians from Chad after years of Boko Haram displacement

The Federal Government has repatriated 7,790 Nigerians from the Republic of Chad who fled amidst the conflict of Boko Haram insurgency for almost a decade. Mr Dauda Illiya, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno’s Special Adviser on Media, made this known on Thursday in Maiduguri. According to the statement, Zulum leads the Federal Government’s delegation to Chad in the company of Dr Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and Aliyu Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). It stated that the delegation was received in Baga Sola on Wednesday by the Governor of Lac Province, Saleh Tidjani. ALSO READ: FG repatriates 190 Nigerians from UAE The statement said that the returnees who are mostly indigenes of Borno had been taking shelter in Chad after their communities around Lake Chad Basin were overrun by the insurgents. It added that before launching the first phase of the repatriation, Zulum attended the signing of a tripartite agreement between the governments of Nigeria, Chad, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Baga Sola. The statement said that the Sunusi signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Tidjani signed on behalf of the Chadian government. Jerome Merlin, Second Representative of the UNHCR in Baga Sola, signed on behalf of his commission. EXPLORE: FG repatriates 281 stranded, detained Nigerians from Libya The statement, however, quoted Zulum as saying during the ceremony that of the refugees currently living in Chad, only those who voluntarily wish to return were repatriated. It added that the governor further expressed gratitude to the government of Chad for hosting thousands of displaced Nigerians over the years. This exercise is entirely voluntary. We are grateful to the government and people of Chad for their hospitality and support in sheltering our people during their time of need. Now that peace has returned to many areas in Borno, we are prepared to help them reintegrate into their communities. In the first batch of the repatriation, about 1,768 families, comprising 7,790 individuals, will be transported back to Nigeria, the statement quoted Zulum as saying. It also quoted the minister as commending Zulum for his exemplary leadership and strong collaboration with the federal government in humanitarian efforts. I want to thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, for demonstrating leadership during crises and serving as a role model in terms of federal-state collaboration. His commitment to working with the Federal Government and international partners to ensure the well-being of displaced persons is commendable, the statement quoted Sunusi as saying. It also reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting states in providing humanitarian assistance and ensuring the safe return of refugees to their communities. RECOMMENDED: FG repatriates 289 Nigerians in 4th evacuation flight from U.S.