Borno State Government has resettled 2,800 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Ajiri community in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
The displaced families fled their homes to take refuge in Maiduguri city after the Boko Haram insurgents sacked the community last five years.
The state’s Commissioner of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement (RRR), Engineer Mustapha Gubio stated this Friday at the presentation of over 500 housing units to the returnee IDPs in Mafa town.
Engr Mustapha added that the internally displaced persons hitherto took refuge at the Customs House Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp Muna area along Dikwa in Maiduguri and willingly opted to return to their ancestral homes to enable them resume their normal way of life.
He further noted that the resettlement process was implemented in accordance 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.”
“Ministry of RRR distributed assorted food and relief items to each of the resettled household such as rice; cooking oil, mosquito nets, blankets, textile materials and mattresses.
He also said each of the displaced person would be supported with N50,000 resettlement package, to enable the IDP engage in meaningful activities.
According to him, the state government has set up a Mega Farm and artificial dam in the community to enable returnees engage in agricultural activities and become self-reliant.
“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,” Mustapha said.
The gesture has brought enthusiasm in the community as thousands of men, women and children returned to their ancestral homes to reunite with their loved ones.
Mala Umara, one of the resettled persons, said he was excited to return home after spending five years in IDPs camp.
Umara lauded the support given to them by the state government, adding that it would go a long way to alleviate their sufferings.
Also, Aisha Modu, a mother of four, expressed joy for reuniting with her sister, Bilkisu, who she met for the first time in many years.
“I did not see my sister for five years, we ran in separate directions during the attack and there was no communication between us. God made it possible for us to survived and reunite again,” she said.
Modu also thanked Gov. Babagana Zulum, for the housing project that facilitated their dignified resettlement.
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