The Borno State Government has finalized arrangements to repatriate more than 3,000 Nigerian refugees from the Republic of Cameroon after 11 years in displacement.
The refugees fled their communities during the height of the insurgency that affected central and southern parts of Borno State.
The prolonged crisis destroyed villages, displaced families, and disrupted social and economic life across the region.
The repatriation exercise aligns with the commitment of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to return and resettle all Borno refugees living in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
The operation is being carried out with the support of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
Chairman of the Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation and member of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, on Monday met with officials of Cameroon’s Far North Region and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at the Minawao Refugee Camp in Maroua.
The meeting focused on finalizing logistics and coordination to ensure a safe and dignified return of the refugees.
During a visit to the camp in December 2025, Governor Zulum assured refugees willing to return that their movement would be voluntary, safe, and properly coordinated.
The refugees have lived in Cameroon for more than a decade under the care of Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian partners.
During their stay, they received shelter, healthcare, education, and access to farmland to support agricultural activities.
Improved security in several parts of Borno and ongoing reconstruction efforts have encouraged many refugees to indicate readiness to return home.
The Borno State Government has provided buses and other logistics to support the movement process.
The National Commission for Refugees is coordinating the repatriation in collaboration with Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian agencies.
‘This is the fourth phase, which began in 2020, and the process is going on smoothly in line with tripartite and technical working group agreements,’ Wakilbe said.
He said the commitments made by Governor Zulum during his visit to the camp on 8 December 2025 would be fully implemented upon the refugees’ return.
In a related development, Wakilbe led a delegation to the office of the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari.
Governor Bakari commended the Borno State Government for sustaining a strong bilateral relationship between the two sides.
He said the cooperation has played a key role in ensuring the protection, welfare, and orderly return of displaced persons across the border.
