Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to restoring the dignity and rebuilding the lives of victims of insurgency, including thousands of Nigerian refugees living in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Governor Zulum delivered the assurance during his visit to the Minawao Refugee Camp in Cameroon’s Far North region, where over 12,000 Nigerians from Kirawa, Ngoshe, Ashigashiya, and surrounding communities in the Gwoza Local Government Area have lived for more than ten years due to the Boko Haram insurgency.
His visit brought a renewed sense of hope, with many refugees describing his presence as their first real assurance that returning home was now within reach. Zulum informed them that comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place across their communities after years of intensified military operations and civilian security initiatives.
“The welfare of refugees, internally displaced persons, and returnees remains a priority for us,” the governor said, adding that rehabilitating the lives of insurgency survivors is a core part of his government’s humanitarian and development agenda.
As part of efforts to support voluntary return, Zulum announced a financial package for shelter reconstruction. Each returning refugee will receive ₦500,000, while women-headed households will receive an additional ₦100,000. He further pledged to drill boreholes to address water needs in the returning communities.
Cameroon’s Governor of the Far North Region praised Zulum’s steadfast leadership, describing his humanitarian efforts as exemplary. He noted that Zulum has consistently shown deep concern for displaced Nigerians, even beyond the country’s borders, and has strengthened bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon.
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Bakari acknowledged Zulum’s long-standing interventions in the Minawao Camp and commended the relief his hands-on approach has brought to the refugees.
During the visit, Governor Zulum also inspected farmlands allocated to the refugees by the Cameroonian authorities. These fields have become a major source of livelihood for the displaced families. He applauded the refugees’ resilience and thanked the host government for its generosity.
Zulum assured the farmers that his administration would support their agricultural activities by providing irrigation facilities and water sources to boost production, stressing that empowering refugees to sustain their livelihoods is central to restoring dignity and ensuring a smooth reintegration when they return home.