From Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
Nigeria representatives have arrived Marwa, in Cameroon for the repatriation of 9,800 Nigerian refugees.
The 9,800 are those in first phase of the repatriation from Cameroon, out of 46,000 Nigerians taking refuge in Minawao camp in Central Africa country.
A statement on Wednesday by Spokesman to Borno State Governor (Professor Babagana Zulum), Mallam Isa Gusau said his boss has arrived Marwa in the Cameroon, alongside officials of Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development towards the voluntary repatriation of 9,800 Nigerians of Borno origin, who are among 46,000 Nigerians taking refuge in Minawao camp in Cameroon.
He said the 9,800 Nigerians constitute the first batch of citizens who have shown willingness to be evacuated to resettlement houses built by Borno Government in Bama and Banki towns.
He disclosed that Zulum arrived Cameroon on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday led Nigerian delegation to a meeting on the tripartite (repatriation) agreement signed between Nigeria, Cameroon and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, which is to held in Marwa in far north Cameroon, with Governor of Cameroon’s far north, Mijinyawa Bakare hosting the meeting.
He said before traveling to Cameroon, Zulum has had series of meetings with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the federal commission, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Senator Basheer, and with relevant ambassadors with all meetings aimed at following all established procedures towards lawful repatriation.
Gusau said: “Zulum is in Cameroon alongside the Perm Sec Fed Min of Humanitarian Affairs, Malam Bashir Nura Alkali and the ministry’s humanitarian director, Ali Grema, some officials from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, the governor’s adviser on External and Liaison Services, Ambassador Adamu Abbas who is also a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) established for implementation of the tripartite repatriation agreement; a member of House of Representatives representing Bama, Ngala, Kala-Balge federal constituency of Borno State, Zainab Gimba, chairperson of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, commissioner for local government and emirate affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, special adviser on projects monitoring and evaluation, Engr Abba Wakilbe and the governor’s principal secretary, Bar Mustapha Busuguma.”
He said: “Today’s (Wednesday) meeting, is in line with provisions of the tripartite agreement which has spelt out international best practices on humanitarian issues involving movements of persons between two or more countries as well as roles and limitations of all parties, and the protection of the rights of refugees who can only be repatriated at their own will.”
Majority of refugees at the Minawao refugee camp, are mostly from Borno State, and have made regularly appealed to Governor Babagana Zulum to spearhead their repatriation to safe and rebuilt communities in their home state in order to return to decent living.
In September 2019, Zulum during his trip to the camp, the governor had promised the refugees that he would in response to their appeal, work with stakeholders towards their successful repatriation and dignified resettlement.