“Governor Zulum Leads Delegation to Chad to Begin Repatriation of Refugees Fleeing Boko Haram Insurgency”
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, recently led a prominent Nigerian delegation to Baga Sola, Chad, to kickstart the repatriation of Nigerian refugees who had fled the Boko Haram insurgency nearly ten years ago.
These refugees, mostly from Borno State, have sought shelter in Chad following the devastation caused by the insurgency around the Lake Chad Basin. A statement released on Thursday revealed that the delegation, which included Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as well as the Federal Commissioner/CEO of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, was warmly received by the Governor of Lac Province, Saleh Tidjani, upon their arrival.
The repatriation process will begin with the return of 1,768 families, totaling 7,790 individuals, back to Nigeria in its first phase.
Governor Zulum was present at the signing of a crucial tripartite agreement between the Nigerian, Chadian governments, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Baga Sola, solidifying the terms of the repatriation. Dr. Sununu signed on behalf of Nigeria, the Governor of Lac Province represented Chad, and Jerome Merlin, the Second Representative of UNHCR in Baga Sola, signed for the refugee agency.
During the signing, Governor Zulum made it clear that only those refugees who voluntarily expressed interest in returning to Nigeria would be part of the repatriation process. He also expressed deep gratitude to the Chadian government for their generosity in offering refuge to the displaced Nigerians.
Dr. Sununu praised Governor Zulum for his leadership throughout the crisis and for his steadfast collaboration with the federal government. “I want to thank the Executive Governor of Borno State for showing leadership during crises and serving as a role model in terms of complete collaboration with the federal government and for providing all the necessary support,” he said.
The Nigerian delegation also included Abdulkadir Ibrahim Ghani, Head of Chancery at the Nigerian Embassy in N’Djamena; Hon. Karta Maina Ma’aji, representing Kukawa in the Borno State House of Assembly; Commissioners Prof. Usman Tar (Information) and Sugun Mai Mele (Local Government Affairs); and Mustapha Ali Busuguma, Permanent Secretary at the Government House.
