₦airaland Forum

The first batch of 300 Nigerian refugees has successfully returned to Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, marking the official commencement of the fourth phase of the ongoing refugee repatriation exercise.

The returnees, drawn from 75 households, arrived in Pulka in a well-coordinated and dignifying process, signalling a significant step forward in the state’s long-term resettlement agenda.

For the families, the journey went far beyond a physical border crossing. It was an emotional transition from more than a decade of displacement to the rebuilding of livelihoods, after spending over 11 years in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the Republic of Cameroon.

The development follows Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s visit to the refugees’ camp in Cameroon on 8 December 2025, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced persons.

Chairman of the Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe described the exercise as one of the most significant achievements of the present administration.

“ This homecoming is a testament to our collective resolve. We are not merely relocating people; we are restoring lives and rekindling hope within our communities, ”

Demonstrating strong regional cooperation, the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Minjinyawa Bakari, personally bade the refugees farewell, reaffirming the enduring bilateral partnership between Nigeria and Cameroon in addressing the humanitarian consequences of insurgency within the Lake Chad Basin.

On arrival in Pulka, the returnees were formally received by local authorities and security agencies. In deeply emotional scenes, some returnees knelt to touch the soil of their homeland, others offered prayers of gratitude, while children many of whom had spent most of their lives outside Nigeria looked on with curiosity at their ancestral land.

To support reintegration, each household head received ₦500,000, while each wife was given an additional ₦50,000.

The Borno State Government also distributed mattresses and wrappers, while the National Commission for Refugees provided essential food items including rice, millet, beans, and cooking oil.

Officials say the current phase forms part of a broader strategy aimed at stabilising resettled communities, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and restoring livelihoods across insurgency-affected areas of the state.

You just know the military has done immense work when refugees who left the country years ago, cos of insecurity, starts returning home.

Kudos to everyone that made this possible ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/j7o4ScNobq

— Wale Adedayo 🌍🔰 (@Mario9jaa) January 28, 2026

The first batch of 300 Nigerian refugees has successfully returned to Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, marking the official commencement of the fourth phase of the ongoing refugee repatriation exercise.

The returnees, drawn from 75 households, arrived in Pulka in a well-coordinated and dignifying process, signalling a significant step forward in the state’s long-term resettlement agenda.

For the families, the journey went far beyond a physical border crossing. It was an emotional transition from more than a decade of displacement to the rebuilding of livelihoods, after spending over 11 years in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the Republic of Cameroon.

The development follows Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s visit to the refugees’ camp in Cameroon on 8 December 2025, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced persons.

Chairman of the Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe described the exercise as one of the most significant achievements of the present administration.

“ This homecoming is a testament to our collective resolve. We are not merely relocating people; we are restoring lives and rekindling hope within our communities, ”

Demonstrating strong regional cooperation, the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Minjinyawa Bakari, personally bade the refugees farewell, reaffirming the enduring bilateral partnership between Nigeria and Cameroon in addressing the humanitarian consequences of insurgency within the Lake Chad Basin.

On arrival in Pulka, the returnees were formally received by local authorities and security agencies. In deeply emotional scenes, some returnees knelt to touch the soil of their homeland, others offered prayers of gratitude, while children many of whom had spent most of their lives outside Nigeria looked on with curiosity at their ancestral land.

To support reintegration, each household head received ₦500,000, while each wife was given an additional ₦50,000.

The Borno State Government also distributed mattresses and wrappers, while the National Commission for Refugees provided essential food items including rice, millet, beans, and cooking oil.

Officials say the current phase forms part of a broader strategy aimed at stabilising resettled communities, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and restoring livelihoods across insurgency-affected areas of the state.

joromii:
Are their houses still standing or already bombed?

Racoon:
Insecurity celebrating security. It was an indictment on the government. This is not worth celebrating because the number role or function of government is the provision of security of lives and property

ufotunang:
I hope the government has addressed and tackled the insecurity in that area or LGA..
So that the terrorists does not come back again to attack them .. and government should put security men within that LGA or area so that the people can be secured or stay safe and live peacefully in that area

Love800:
I don't understand.

How did borno people relocate to Cameroon from the far north!
I thought its the south that is closer to Cameroon borders!

Originalsly:
It's nice for the Governor to make provision for their return so fast and have them out of the IDP. but what security will they have? ...and to make it worse .. announcing N500K to every family? ...knowing what's been going on with rkidnapping and ransom? I would not feel safe there ...somewhere ...people are planning with the calculator...75 × N500k ...we know they have this amount ...do we go collect it by force? ...or let them bring it to us by Wednesday?

skywalker240:
Adamawa border's Cameroon, Adamawa is closer to Bornu.

Racoon:
Insecurity celebrating security. It was an indictment on the government. This is not worth celebrating because the number one role or function of government is the provision of security of lives and property. If you failed in it, then you failed all.