Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, has distributed bales of clothes and wrappers to 500 households of Baga in Kukawa council of the state. Baga, is a fishing community on the shores of Lake Chad; where Boko Haram had economic interest to sustain terrorism for seven years. The households comprising 12,204 IDP returnees were also each provided with N10, 000 as their stipends. While distributing food items and clothes, Zulum disclosed: “Both the men and women will each received a bag each of rice and maize grits.” He added that condiments, including cooking oil are distributed to each of the IDP household returnees. According to the Governor, the Kaka Shehu Lawan resettlement committee rebuilt the destroyed homes and public structures for the safe return of displaced persons to the fishing community. While lamenting incessant attacks, he said: “This town was dislodged by Boko Haram in 2014. “Today, to the glory of God, we are witnessing the first return of IDPs to their ancestral homes from Monguno to their fishing community.” He warned the returnees that government will not condone any form of sabotage from any individual or group.
“I enjoined you to report any suspicious person or activity to the military and other security agencies,” noting that as it is only with their cooperation the community could be safeguarded. He therefore applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitments to return peace to ensure the resettlement of IDPs into communities. According to him, Buhari has created an enabling environment that ensured the return of IDPs to the Baga fishing community. The Resettlement Committee Chairman, Kaka Shehu Lawan attributed the safe return of Baga IDPs to Zulum’s resilience and untiring efforts. He explained that with the resettlement exercise, many of the IDPs have returned to fishing businesses and other agricultural activities in the Lake Chad Basin. While in Baga, the Governor also assessed the destroyed residence of former Governor, Sen. Maina Ma’aji’ Lawan, who accompanied him to return IDPs to the fishing community. Other government officials that returned the displaced persons, include Haruna Kukawa, representing Kukawa constituency at Borno State House of Assembly, the Commissioner of Ministries of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR),Agriculture and Water Resources, Mustapha Gubio, Bukar Talba and Tijjani Alkali.
