Boko Haram crisis: Zulum visits Niger Rep ahead repatriation of ‘120,000’ refugees

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, on Saturday, visited Niger Republic to finalise the repatriation of 120,000 refugees who fled Nigeria as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Isa Gusau, the governor’s spokesman, who disclosed this, said most of the refugees hail from local governments in the northern part of the state.

He said they fled from hundreds of communities attacked by the insurgents. Gusau said the governor had earlier held a meeting in Abuja with stakeholders to discuss repatriation of the refugees from Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

“The Governor’s visit to Niger was to contribute in arranging modalities towards the safe and dignified repatriation of the refugees to resettlement communities in Borno,” he said.

“Governor Zulum traveled to Diffa from Malam-Fatori, headquarters of Abadam local government in Northern Borno, which had been a stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents, until it was recently regained by the military.

“The visit to Malam-fatori, the first time in more than five years by a civilian governor, happened the same Saturday the Governor entered Diffa province in Niger Republic.

“Zulum, while addressing top officials, expressed his gratitude to government of Diffa province, the federal government of Niger and and the host communities in the country for being hospitable to Borno citizens.”