The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI) has donated vital food and non- food supplies to the Borno State, to support the reintegration of Nigerian refugees from Chad.
The official handover ceremony took place in Maiduguri, with top NCRMI officials, including Hajiya Fatima Mamman Daura, Director of IDPs, and Mr. Murdakai Titus, Director of Refugees, presenting the items.
Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, received the donations on behalf of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
Hajiya Fatima reaffirmed the NCRMI’s commitment to ensuring the safe and dignified repatriation of Nigerian refugees, emphasizing the collaboration between the commission and the state government.
“Our mandate includes coordinating the return of Nigerian refugees. This first phase, focusing on those in Chad, has already seen the successful repatriation of nearly 7, 000 individuals,” she stated.
The donated items include 2,400 bags of rice, 3,500 cartons of spaghetti, 500 cartons of vegetable oil, 185 bags of millet, 1,600 bags of cement, 500 mattresses, and 500 mosquito nets, among other essential supplies.
“These provisions will help the returnees rebuild their lives,” Hajiya Fatima added. “We are also partnering with the Nigerian Medical Association in Borno to provide healthcare and psychosocial support.”
Borno State authorities estimate that approximately 8,000 returnees, mainly from Kukawa Local Government Area, are being repatriated from Chad.
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Wakilbe, who chairs the sub-committee on repatriation, acknowledged the NCRMI’s pivotal role in the process.
“The NCRMI has been instrumental in this effort, working closely with the state government to ensure a smooth transition for the returnees,” he said. “His Excellency, the hovernor, has pledged to bring all our people back home.”
The returnees, who traveled through Cameroon before reaching Nigeria, are currently being housed in Banki and Maiduguri, before their eventual relocation to Kukawa when conditions improve.
Wakilbe praised NCRMI’s continued support, noting that since 2020, the commission has played a critical role in repatriation efforts, providing essential supplies and assisting with the reconstruction of settlements in Bama and Amarwa.
As the repatriation process continues, agreements are also in place for the return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon and Niger, ensuring that displaced citizens can safely reintegrate into their communities.
