Borno starts return of over 70,000 IDPs home

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Borno State government has commenced return of 11, 750 households (over 70, 000 individuals) from a major Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP) camp in Maiduguri.

The state governor, Babagana Zulum announced on Friday at the flag off of the closure of Muna IDP. camp located at the city outskirts.

“We are here to commence the closure of the camp. You recall that Borno State started the closure of official camps in Maiduguri three years ago. Therefore, we are here to flag off the commencement of the closure of this (Muna) camp,” the governor said in his remark.

He lamented that prostitution, drug abuse, procreation without cars and other criminal acts were common in the camp. He said it was time the IDP return to their homes but assured the return exercise is carried out in dignified manner in acceptance with the Kampala convention.

“This resettlement is a voluntary one in line with the Kampala Convention,” he explained.

He said government is spending N831 million (,about N1 billion) to support the IDP resettle in their local governments.

This support according to Zulum, include N100,000 to each of the male and female heads of households and N50,0000 to married women. Other supports include foods and non food items such as mattresses, mats and cooking utensils.

He said the government has captured the total number of those to be returned, warning that any other person who comes after the capturing will not be tolerated.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Engr Aji Goni in his opening remark, said IDPs from five local governments taking refuge in the camp will be returned home. He listed them as Konduga, Bama, Ngala, Jere and Gwoza.

A household according to UN humanitarian coordination standard comprise of six persons.