TheCable

The federal government has inaugurated a committee for the repatriation of displaced citizens living in neighbouring countries.

The inauguration held on Wednesday at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Present at the inauguration included President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance; Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation; and Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno.

Members of the presidential committee on the repatriation, return and resettlement of IDPs in the north-east are drawn from ministries, security agencies, the refugee commission, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Speaking with journalists after the inauguration, Zulum said the committee will be responsible for ensuring that persons displaced by insurgency are properly resettled.

“Indeed, we are so much happy, especially those of us that are in the north-east, because thousands of people were displaced. Some are taking refuge in the Republic of Chad, in the Republic of Niger, Cameroon,” he said.

“This is the time that the federal government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the state governments of the north-east, will facilitate the repatriation of the internally-displaced persons that are living in our neighbouring countries to Nigeria.

“The committee is also to look into the management of repentant Boko Haram members. So, indeed, we are so grateful and the entire north-eastern governments will give maximum support to this committee.

“We will provide the necessary support to the federal government under the distinguished leadership of Mr. President to ensure that this process yields the desired result.”

According to him, the inauguration of the committee is timely as IDPs in neighbouring countries have been yearning to return to Nigeria.

“In fact, they are over ready. They have been agitating for return since the last two and a half years. Unfortunately, the enabling environment has not been created for that return,” he said.

“But now, the federal government has acted. All the necessary resources and materials needed to ensure their return in a dignified manner will be provided by the federal government and we remain extremely grateful.”