The Borno State Government has returned 760 Internally Displaced
Person (IDP) households to the border community of Ngoshe with relief
materials.
Ngoshe; along with about dozen border communities with Cameroon in
Gwoza Local Government Area, were attacked by Boko Haram insurgents in
2014 and 2016.
The distributed tons of relief materials, comprise food items,
mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets.
While addressing the IDP returnees on Thursday in Ngoshe, the Deputy
Governor, Umar Kadafur disclosed that the 200 houses, have been
completed for the return and resettlements of 4,560 IDPs.
According to him, the returnees had been taking refuge in Maiduguri
IDP camps and host communities in the last six years.
“I’m today (Thursday) satisfied with the completion of houses done by
Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR),” he
said, noting that government is concerned over prolonged living in
camps in Maiduguri, the state capital.
He assured that the state government, is doing everything possible to
return remaining displaced persons to their communities with dignity
and in accordance to the Kampala Convention.
“All arrangements have been put in place, including security and
social amenities that were destroyed by insurgents in 2014,” he said.
“This enabled a hitch free resettlement of first batch of 760 IDP
households to Ngoshe border community,” he said.
He therefore, urged them to be law abiding and cooperate with each
other, as well as troops that protect their lives and property in
border communities.
“You should report any suspicious person or movements to the military
and other security agencies,” he said.
He said the return of IDPs with security, will enable them commence
their livelihood and business activities in the agricultural and
livestock sectors of economy.
“The state government will continue to support you and provide
additional social amenities as soon as possible,” he assured.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno south senatorial district, who
doubles as Senate Committee on Army, expressed satisfaction with
emplaced security protect lives and property in border community.
“This town is as safe as any other places one could think off,” he
said, noting that the media should change the narratives of inciting
and frightening reports that discourage IDPs’ return.
According to him, the media should provide them hope with words of
encouragement to return to communities with established civil
authorities.
The Reconstruction; and IDP Return Committees leaders, Yuguda Vungas
and Dr. Mairo Mandara as well as Prof. Suleiman Bello said that with
the completion of 200 houses, an additional 400 housing units will be
built to accommodate the remaining displaced persons in camps.
Vungas also noted that the IDPs that were returned yesterday; are
however; more than the 760 targeted households.
He pledged that before the end of this month, all IDPs of Ngoshe will
return to their communities.
Amdagha Kwiza, a returnee IDP household commended the state government
for returning displaced persons to their community, after being
displaced for six years in camps and host communities.
