FG disburses N15bn to Borno refugees in Chad Republic, to resettle 20,000 IDPs – Zulum

By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, says the Federal Government has released N15 billion to the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo-led Repatriation and Settlement Committee to ensure safe return of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes.

Zulum, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Repatriation and Settlement Committee on management of repentant Boko Haram members, repatriation, return and resettlement of IDPs, spoke on a visit to Darussalam IDPs Camp in the Lac Region of Chad Republic.

Governor Zulum, who arrived at Bagasola Province in company of some State Executive Council (SEC) members and legislators from the state assembly was received by the Governor of Lac.

According to the governor, modalities have been put in place by the Federal Government to ensure the safe return of Nigerian refugees who have been earmarked for repatriation to their country and finally to their ancestral homes or communities on heels of government’s intensified efforts to restore communities across the North-East region destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents.

“About 20,000 refugees were reportedly displaced by the activities of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State. They were forced to take refuge in the Republic of Chad.

He noted that the refugees are mostly from Kukawa, Ngala, Kala-Balge and Bama local government areas (LGAs) of Borno State, most of whom have been living in Darussalam IDPs camp for over eight years.

The governor in the course of his visit also disbursed 5,000 CFAs to support the IDPs during the Ramadan period with the promise to repatriate them after Eid Fitr celebration.