FG, Borno Prepare to Receive over 78,000 Repatriated Nigerian Refugees from Cameroon

By Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

The federal government and the Borno State Government have made provisions for the over 78,000 Nigerian refugees expected to be repatriated from the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon.

The federal government body, National Commision for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) at the weekend, while conducting journalists round a warehouse in Maiduguri, showed large store of relief materials that would last the repatriated refugees for over a month.

The Borno State agency in-charge of internally displaced persons, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also told journalists on Sunday that camps would be established in four areas to house the returning refugees.

The Chairman of SEMA, Mr. Ahmed Satomi said the camps are planned for, Ngoshe, Kumshe, Kerawa and Gulumba, noting that the state government was ready to receive them.

The federal commissioner, NCFRMI, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, who conducted journalists round the commission’s warehouse in Maiduguri, said the decision to stockpile the needed relief materials became necessary so that their immediate need would be met.

She said her commission was presently holding talks with Borno government over the accommodation of the IDPs on their return since 95 per cent of them are from the state.

Farouq said expected to be repatriated from Cameroon include the registered 78000 refugees and another large number of unofficial refugees who have been asked to leave the country by Cameroonian authority.

She said: “We are holding talks with Borno government over the accommodation of the IDPs on their return since 95 percent of them are indigenes of the state. We found this necessary hence the talks and delivery of food items.

On the incessant rape and abuse of IDPs by camp officials and others, Hajiya Farouq said the commission is investigating the atrocities, adding that anybody found culpable will be made to face justice.

Items warehoused by the NCFRMI include 528 (50kg) bags of rice ;  526 (100kg) bags of millet, 528 (100kg) bags of beans and 526 (100kg) bags of Guinea corn.