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.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Borno State, Dauda Illiya, made this known on Thursday in Maiduguri.
According to the statement, Governor Babagana Zulum lead the Federal Government’s delegation to Chad in company of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, stating 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 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.
“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.
