Governor Zulum Reaffirms Commitment to Closing Bama IDP Camp and Ensuring Safe Resettlement
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to closing the Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, which is the largest in the state, and ensuring the safe resettlement of its occupants.
Speaking during a visit to Bama Local Government Area, Governor Zulum assured residents that the former girls’ secondary school, which has been serving as the IDP camp since the Boko Haram insurgency, will soon be restored to its original purpose. He emphasized the progress made in the resettlement process, citing previous successes in Darajaram and Abbaram.
“I have earlier made a pronouncement that before the end of my tenure, we shall close all IDP camps in Borno State. In fulfillment of this promise, we have started resettlements. You have seen Darajaram and Abbaram. Now, we are focusing on closing one of the biggest IDP camps in the state, which is the Bama camp,” Governor Zulum stated.
The governor stressed that the prolonged operation of IDP camps is unsustainable and that resettlement is necessary to ensure displaced persons are reintegrated into safe communities in line with the Kampala Convention, which promotes the safe and dignified resettlement of displaced persons.
“Non-Governmental Organizations must take note that there is no going back. We are committed to closing these camps and resettling people in safe communities according to relevant laws,” he affirmed.
Zulum also appealed to the military for their continued support in creating secure conditions for resettlement, acknowledging the federal government’s ongoing assistance in addressing the challenges faced by displaced persons in Borno.
