The first batch of 300 Nigerian refugees has returned to Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State under the fourth phase of the ongoing repatriation exercise.
The returnees comprise 75 households who arrived in Pulka community through a coordinated process.
The homecoming marks the end of more than 11 years of displacement in refugee camps in the Republic of Cameroon.
The exercise followed the visit of Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to the refugee camp on December 8, 2025.
During the visit, the governor pledged a “voluntary, safe, and dignified return” for displaced citizens.
Chairman of the Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe on Tuesday, described the development as a major achievement of the current administration.
“This return is not just about movement; it is about restoring lives and rebuilding communities,” Wakilbe said.
The governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Minjinyawa Bakari, personally bade farewell to the refugees.
He reaffirmed “continued bilateral cooperation” between Nigeria and Cameroon in addressing displacement caused by insurgency in the Lake Chad region.
The returnees were received in Pulka by local authorities and security officials.
Some returnees offered prayers on arrival, while others expressed gratitude after stepping on their homeland.
Each household head received N500,000 in cash, while N50,000 was given to each wife to support reintegration.
The Borno State Government also provided mattresses and wrappers to the families.
The National Commission for Refugees supplied food items including rice, millet, beans, and cooking oil.
The repatriation exercise forms part of a broader strategy to “stabilize resettled communities and restore livelihoods” in conflict-affected areas.
