Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, and other representatives from Nigeria have arrived in Marwa, Cameroon, for the repatriation of 9,800 Nigerian refugees.
The 9,800 refugees are part of the first phase of repatriation from Cameroon out of 46,000 Nigerians taking refuge in Minawao camp in Central Africa country.
A statement released on Wednesday by Spokesman for the Borno State Governor, Mallam Isa Gusau, reveals Zulum arrived Cameroon on Tuesday evening alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
He said the 9,800 constitute the first batch of citizens who have shown willingness to be evacuated to resettlement houses built by the Borno State Government in Bama and Banki towns.
Before traveling to Cameroon, Zulum had had a series of meetings with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the federal commission, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Senator Basheer, and with relevant ambassadors with all meetings aimed at following all established procedures towards lawful repatriation.
Gusau said, “Zulum is in Cameroon alongside the Perm Sec Fed Min of Humanitarian Affairs, Malam Bashir Nura Alkali and the ministry’s humanitarian director, Ali Grema, some officials from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, the governor’s adviser on External and Liaison Services, Ambassador Adamu Abbas who is also a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) established for the implementation of the tripartite repatriation agreement; a member of House of Representatives representing Bama, Ngala, Kala-Balge federal constituency of Borno State, Zainab Gimba, chairperson of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, commissioner for local government and emirate affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, special adviser on projects monitoring and evaluation, Engr Abba Wakilbe and the governor’s principal secretary, Bar Mustapha Busuguma.
“Today’s (Wednesday) meeting is in line with provisions of the tripartite agreement which has spelt out international best practices on humanitarian issues involving movements of persons between two or more countries as well as roles and limitations of all parties, and the protection of the rights of refugees who can only be repatriated at their own will.”
The majority of refugees at the Minawao camp are mostly from Borno State and have regularly appealed to Governor Babagana Zulum to oversee their repatriation.
In September 2019, Zulum during his trip to the camp had promised the refugees that he would respond to their appeal and work with stakeholders towards their successful repatriation and dignified resettlement.
