By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Borno State Government has finalized plans for the voluntary repatriation of over 3,000 Nigerian refugees from the Republic of Cameroon, marking their return to their ancestral homes after 11 years.
This initiative reflects the commitment made by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, to repatriate and resettle all Nigerian refugees from Borno currently residing in neighboring countries, including Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.
The repatriation operation is being conducted with support from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.
On Monday, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Chairman of the Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation and member of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, met with a government delegation from Cameroon’s Far North Region and representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the Minawao Refugee Camp in Maroua.
The purpose of the meeting was to finalize logistical arrangements that will ensure the safe and dignified return of the refugees.
During a visit to the camp in December 2025, Governor Zulum assured the refugees that they would be facilitated to return home safely and with dignity, signifying a new beginning for families who have been displaced by insurgency for over a decade.
The refugees primarily hail from communities in central and southern Borno and fled to Cameroon during the peak of the insurgency, which devastated villages and disrupted socio-economic life throughout the North-East.
Throughout their stay, the Cameroonian government and humanitarian partners provided essential services, including shelter, healthcare, and education.
Many refugees were also granted access to farmland to support agricultural activities, thereby reducing their dependency on aid and empowering them to sustainably care for their families.
With security conditions improving in various regions of Borno and state-led reconstruction efforts underway, many refugees have expressed their desire to return home voluntarily.
The Borno State Government has arranged buses and other logistical support for the refugees’ movement, with the National Commission for Refugees overseeing and coordinating the repatriation in partnership with Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian organizations.
“This marks the fourth phase of repatriation that began in 2020. The process is proceeding smoothly in line with the agreements established by the tripartite and technical working groups,” stated Engr. Wakilbe.
“Governor Zulum visited on December 8, 2025, and made commitments. We assure you that these commitments will be honored as soon as the refugees return home,” he added.
In a related development, Engineer Wakilbe led a high-level delegation to meet with Midjiyawa Bakari, Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region.
During their discussion, Governor Bakari praised the Borno State Government for maintaining a longstanding and cordial bilateral relationship, emphasizing that cooperation between both countries has been vital in safeguarding the welfare and orderly return of displaced persons across the border.
