Borno Governor Leads Delegation To Chad For Refugee Repatriation

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has led a high-level delegation to Chad to initiate the repatriation of thousands of refugees who fled the Boko Haram insurgency and sought shelter in Baga Sola.

The majority of these refugees, originally from Borno State, have endured nearly a decade of displacement due to the conflict affecting communities around the Lake Chad Basin.

Upon arrival in Baga Sola on Wednesday, Zulum and his team were received by the Governor of Lac Province, Saleh Haggar Tidjani. The delegation included Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, and the Federal Commissioner/CEO of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

As part of the first phase of the repatriation effort, 1,768 families totaling 7,790 individuals will be returning to Nigeria.

Before the official launch of the repatriation, Governor Zulum participated in the signing of a tripartite agreement between Nigeria, Chad, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Baga Sola.

The agreement was signed by Minister Sununu on behalf of Nigeria, Governor Saleh Haggar Tidjani for Chad, and Jerome Merlin, Deputy Representative of UNHCR.

Speaking at the event, Governor Zulum reiterated that “only refugees who have voluntarily expressed their willingness to return will be repatriated.”

He also extended his gratitude to the Chadian government for its hospitality in sheltering displaced Nigerians over the years.

Other key members of Governor Zulum’s delegation included; Abdulkadir Ibrahim Ghani, Head of Chancery at the Nigerian Embassy in N’Djamena; Karta Maina Ma’aji, Borno State House of Assembly member representing Kukawa; as well as State Commissioners, Prof. Usman Tar (Information) and Sugun Mai Mele (Local Government Affairs). Also in attendance was Mustapha Ali Busuguma, Permanent Secretary of the Borno State Government House.

Commendations

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Sununu praised Governor Zulum for his exemplary leadership and strong collaboration with the Nigerian government in managing crises.

Sununu said; “I want to commend the Executive Governor of Borno State for demonstrating outstanding leadership in times of crisis.” 

His approach serves as a model for effective cooperation between state and federal authorities, ensuring the best possible support for affected communities.

Mercy Chukwudiebere