TheCable

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, says about 300,000 Nigerian refugees have been repatriated from neighbouring countries.

NAN reports that Zulum, who is the vice chairman of the presidential committee on repatriation, return, and resettlement of displaced persons, spoke with journalists on Friday after a meeting chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The federal government had earlier said three settlement camps would be constructed for displaced Nigerians evacuated from neighbouring countries including, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger Republic.

Zulum said the repatriation exercise was already in the fourth phase.

“Few months ago, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria established a committee for the repatriation, return, and resettlement of internally displaced persons that are living in the Republic of Chad, Cameroon, and Niger to Nigeria,” he said.

“Based on the recommendation of the chairman of this committee, the vice president, the sum of N15 billion has been released to the committee.

“We are here to discuss the modalities for implementation; who does what; so far, so good, a lot has been discussed.

“Many items will be procured so that the repatriation exercise will take immediate effect.

“More than 300,000 have been repatriated. But under this phase, we are yet to begin the process.

“What should be given to the individuals in terms of food and non-food items; what type of house shall we build; what is the transportation medium?

“What is the minimum threshold required to return people from the neighbouring countries to Nigeria?
“These are some of the issues that were discussed according to international best practices.”