705 refugees (85 households) from Minawao Refugee Camp, Cameroon, arrived in Banki town in Bama LGA of Borno State on Thursday evening.
According to the Chairman, Borno State Repatriation and Resettlement Committee on IDPs from Cameroon Republic, Hon. Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, they were bid farewell by Governor Minjinyawa Bakari in Maroua.
“The refugees were received at the Nigerian border by Lt Col Michael Ndubisi (152 Task Force Battalion), District Head Mohammed Shehu Umar, and other dignitaries.
“They were taken to a reception facility and later to their UNHCR-supported homes built by the Borno State Government.
Wakilbe thanked Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Hon Tijjani Aliyu Ahamed, for the support.
He said Governor Babagana Zulum’s return packages to each of the refugees include: ₦100,000 per household head, ₦20,000 per wife, mattresses, wrappers and food items while three more convoys or batches are expected to Bama LGA.
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs (NCFRMI) handed over return packages and building materials to the Borno State Government.
NCFRMI Director of Refugees, Mr Murdakai Titus, said the food items were for refugees, while building materials supported shelter rehabilitation for more returns.
