The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, says the Federal Government has released N15 billion to the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo-led committee to ensure safe return of all internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes.
Zulum, who is also the Vice Chairman of the committee on management of repentant Boko Haram members, repatriation, return and resettlement of IDPs, spoke on a visit to Darussalam IDP Camp in the Lac Region of Chad Republic.
According to the governor, modalities have been put in place by the Federal Government to ensure the safe return of Nigerian refugees who have been earmarked for repatriation to their ancestral homes.
This comes as government’s intensified efforts to restore communities across the North-East region destroyed by Boko Haram.
About 20,000 refugees reportedly displaced by activities of insurgency in Borno and forced to take refuge in the Republic of Chad were assured of their return immediately after the Ramadan and Sallah festivities.
Zulum arrived at Bagasola Province in company with State Executive Council (SEC) members and legislators from the state assembly and was received by the Governor of Lac.
The refugees are said to be mostly from Kukawa, Ngala, Kala-Balge and Bama local government areas (LGAs) of Borno State, most of whom have been living in Darussalam IDP camp for over eight years.
Zulum disbursed 5,000 CFAs to support them during the Ramadan period with the promise to return after Sallah to repatriate them.