The Government of Borno State under the administration of Governor Zulum says it has resettled 2,800 displaced persons in Ajiri community of Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
Displaced persons fled abandoning their homes and taking refuge in Maiduguri after they were attacked by Boko Haram 5years ago.
Borno state Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement (RRR), Mustapha Gubio disclosed this during a presentation of over 500 housing units to the resettled families, on Friday in Mafa, Borno.
He said, the displaced persons, who took refuge at the Customs House Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, willingly asked to return to their homes, to enable them resume their normal way of life.
Further speaking, he said that the implementation of the resettlement process was in line with the humanitarian principles due to improved security in the area.
“The village was razed in the attack; the state government through the Ministry of RRR, constructed 500 new houses and reinstalled necessary basic amenities to encourage the IDPs to return.” he said.
According to Gubio, the Ministry distributed assorted food and relief items to each of the resettled families such as rice; cooking oil, mosquito nets, blankets, textile materials and mattresses.
He added that each of the displaced persons would be supported with resettlement package to help them start up and engage in meaningful activities.
Gubio also stated that the government has set up a Mega Farm and artificial dam in the settlement, to enable them engage in agricultural activities and become self reliant.
He said,
“The state government also deployed a team of Agro Rangers comprising of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), to protect them in their farmlands,”
Persons in their thousands of rejoiced upon returning to their ancestral homes to reunite with their loved ones.
One of the resettled persons, identified as Mala Umara said expressed excitement over returning home after he was forced to live in a camp for five years. Giving credits and thanking the government for the support given to them he said it will a long way in helping them start up again.
Yet another survivor who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Borno state Government is Aisha Modu, a mother of four, who was particularly thankful over the fact that she got reunited with her sister, Bilkisu, who she met for the first time after they fled.
Aisha said,
“ we ran in different directions when we were attacked and have not seen each other or communicated for 5 years. God made it possible for us to survive and be together again. ”
She thanked Gov. Babagana Zulum, for the housing project that facilitated their dignified resettlement.
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