FG To Build 3 Resettlement Camps For 20,000 Nigerian Refugees

Gov. Babagana Zulum

The Buhari-led federal government have announced plans to build three integrated villages for 20,000 Nigerian refugees from neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger to resettle.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno made the disclosure, while chairing a technical committee meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Zulum who is also the Vice Chairman, Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of refugees and management of repentant Boko Haram members, said that at least 20,000 persons took refuge in neighboring countries.

He said that President Buhari had approved the release of N15 billion to the committee with the Borno Government handling the construction of the villages.

The aim, the governor said, was towards the resettlement of the returnees from the neighboring countries.

Zulum explained that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will handle the provision of food and non-food relief materials.

According to him, the National Refugees Commission will coordinate the repatriation process of the refugees living in Chad, Cameroon and Niger while the Defence headquarters will provide adequate security for the exercise.

The governor also said that the construction of the villages and the repatriation process would be conducted in phases and only those willing to return would be considered.

The meeting was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, representatives of all the relevant agencies, security operatives and humanitarian organisations among others.