By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced a plan to construct three integrated villages for the resettlement of Nigerian refugees displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in 2014.
Over 20,000 refugees were reportedly displaced by the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa who were forced to take refuge in neighbouring Republic of Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
Zulum made the disclosure while chairing a technical committee meeting which was held at the Borno State Liason office in Abuja on Monday.
Zulum is the Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of refugees as well as the management of repentant Boko Haram members with Vice President Yemi Osibanjo heading the committee.
The governor announced that President Buhari has approved the release of N15b to the committee with the Borno State Government handling the construction of the 3 villages aimed to resettle the returnees from the neighbouring countries.
Zulum explained that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will handle the provision of food and non-food relief materials, and the National Refugees Commission will coordinate the repatriation process of the refugees living in Chad, Cameroon and Niger while the Defence headquarters will provide adequate security for the exercise.
The governor also noted that the construction of the villages and the repatriation process will be conducted in phases and only those willing to return will be considered.
The meeting was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, representatives of all the relevant agencies and security operatives and humanitarian organizations.
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