Over 20,000 Nigerian refugees currently residing in neighbouring countries, namely Lake Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, will be resettled in three villages constructed by the federal government.
Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, who is also the vice-chairman of the presidential committee on repatriation, return, and resettlement of refugees and management of repentant Boko Haram members, announced that about 20,000 Nigerians sought refuge in these countries.
President Muhammadu Buhari approved N15 million for the construction, which will be carried out by the Borno government, while food and other relief materials will be provided by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The National Refugees Commission (NRC) will handle the repatriation exercise, and the defence headquarters will provide security for a safe evacuation process. The governor emphasized that the construction and repatriation of the refugees would be carried out in phases and that the displaced persons would not be compelled to return. Only those refugees who are willing to return would be repatriated.
