TheCable

Kashim Shettima, Borno state governor, says his administration has no plans to force internally displaced persons (IDPs), whose communities had been liberated, to return back home.

The governor made the statement on Monday while speaking with reporters after performing the two rakaat Eid prayers in Konduga, headquarters of Konduga local government area of Borno.

He said rather than compel the IDPs to return home, government would give them the freedom to either choose to return home or stay where they are.

Shettima was accompanied by Garba Abari, director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and some top government officials.

“I want to say without any fear of contradiction that government has no plan to force any persons back home to his or her community,” he said.

“We will not compel individuals to go back to their place.

“We have not compelled anyone to go back to Konduga, Mafa or Dikwa because peace does not require propaganda; peace manifests, it shows itself where it evolves and people respond to it by going to peaceful places.

“Some IDPs have even started returning to their communities months ago without our knowledge.

“Through local information gathering mechanism, they got to know that peace had returned to their communities and they responded by going back in groups.’’

The governor said he decided to observe the Eid prayer in Konduga to showcase the gradual return of peace in the state.