The Federal Government in collaboration with the Borno State Government has completed the repatriation of Nigerian refugees who fled to Cameroon during the peak of insurgency in the North East. Officials confirmed that the final batch of returnees arrived safely this week, marking the end of a phased humanitarian operation that has lasted several months.
The returnees, many of whom had spent years in refugee camps across border communities in Cameroon, were received at designated transit centers where they underwent documentation, health screening, and profiling before being transported to their home communities or temporary resettlement locations.
Authorities said the repatriation was conducted in partnership with international humanitarian agencies to ensure the process met global standards for voluntary and safe return. According to officials, security assessments were carried out in communities of origin to confirm that conditions were stable enough to receive the returnees.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State described the development as a significant milestone in the state’s recovery from insurgency. He noted that rebuilding efforts in affected communities, including schools, health centers, and housing, were ongoing to help returning families reintegrate.
Humanitarian workers say many of the returnees expressed relief at being back home but also raised concerns about livelihoods, farmland access, and access to basic services. Government representatives assured them that support programs, including skills training and small business grants, would be expanded.
Security agencies have pledged to maintain a strong presence in resettled communities to prevent renewed displacement. They emphasized that stabilization operations remain active in parts of the region to counter lingering threats.
Development experts warn that successful reintegration will depend on sustained investment in infrastructure, education, and job creation. Without economic opportunities, they say, returnees could struggle to rebuild their lives.
Despite the challenges, the completion of the repatriation is being viewed as a hopeful step in the broader effort to restore normalcy in Borno and the wider North East.
