Emotional moment in Borno as over 300 return after 10 years in Cameroon

By Hamza Suleiman

It was emotional moment in Pulka, Borno State on Tuesday as 306 Nigerians returned home after living in Minawao camps in Maroua, Cameroon as refugees for over a decade.

The returnees were supported with 200 U.S dollars each by the the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), while the federal government supported them with food-and-non-food items that would last for more than a month.

Borno governor Babagana Zulum also supported the returnees with N550,000 cash to each of the 75 households who voluntarily returned home.

The tribute and prayers of an old woman, Mary Luka, overwhelmed by the generosity of the ouched hearts.

Luka’s emotional words and prayers for Nigeria’s peace and tranquillity, shortly after being repatriated from Cameroon at Pulka near Gwoza in Borno touched many people and dignitaries’ hearts on Tuesday.

An old woman identified as Mary Luka, who spoke on behalf of the excited crowd of the returnees prayed to God for the political leadership at all levels in the country to stand firmly in the fight against terrorism and for Nigeria’s growth and development.

“And for us, who were convinced to return to our ancestral home together with our children for the children to know their origin, we remain grateful,” she said.

However, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, also expressed happiness over the successful repatriation of his people 11 years later.

“We are very happy. You know this process started as far back as 2019, when His Excellency, Gov. Zulum was elected as the governor of Borno State, he went to the camp and they had only one wish, to return home.

“We were unable to facilitate that of Gwoza on time because of so many factors but today I am very happy, 75 households and 300 people have returned to Gwoza.

“And with the peace and tranquillity and security support you have seen here, God willing, they will tell a lot of stories and you will find out that many more will want to come,” the governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Mr Lawan Wakilbe said.

The commissioner also announced plans to enroll all the children who repatriated into government schools of their choice, adding that special attention would also be given to them to ensure they have free books, uniform, among others.

Mr Tijani Aliyu, the Chairman of the repatriation technical committee, who is also a Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, expressed the federal government’s happiness over the successful repatriation of the people of Gwoza from Cameroon.

“I want to say that voluntary repatriation globally is the best durable solution for refugees.

“When the situation in the burnt country improves, people who are away from their home country voluntarily decide to come back home, which is what the international community and even the government are happy to receive their people back.

“That’s to tell you that peace has returned to that country,” Aliyu who was represented by Mr Murdakai Titus, Deputy Director, Refugees Affairs said.

(NAN)