Gov Zulum Revives Hope for 12,000 Nigerian Refugees in Cameroon
By Alkali Muhammad Musa, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reassured Nigerian refugees in neighbouring Cameroon of his administration’s commitment to restoring their dignity and facilitating their return home after years of displacement caused by insurgency.
Governor Zulum gave the assurance during a visit to the Minawao Refugee Camp in Cameroon’s Far North Region, where more than 12,000 Nigerians from Kirawa, Ngoshe, Ashigashiya and adjoining communities in Gwoza Local Government Area have lived for over a decade. His visit rekindled hope among the refugees, many of whom described it as their first real assurance that the long journey back home was finally opening.
The governor told the refugees that adequate security measures have been put in place in their home communities as a result of sustained military and civilian security operations across Gwoza and other parts of Borno State.
“The welfare of refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees remains a priority of our administration,” Zulum said, adding that rebuilding the lives of victims of insurgency remains a key pillar of his humanitarian and development agenda.
He announced a financial assistance package aimed at supporting returnees, stating that each refugee willing to return would receive ₦500,000 for shelter rehabilitation, while female-headed households would be given ₦100,000 each. He also pledged to provide boreholes to support access to water for the returnees.
Cameroon’s Far North Regional Governor, Mijinyawa Bakari, commended Zulum’s consistent support, describing his commitment to displaced Nigerians as exemplary and deeply humanitarian.
“Governor Zulum has persistently demonstrated genuine concern and responsibility for his people, even beyond Nigeria’s borders,” Bakari said, noting that his physical presence and sustained interventions at the Minawao camp had strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon on displacement and regional stability.
During the visit, Governor Zulum also toured farmlands allocated to the refugees by the Cameroonian government, which serve as their main source of livelihood. He praised their resilience and assured them of continued support through the provision of irrigation equipment and water sources to enhance agricultural productivity.
The governor was accompanied by the Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume; the member representing Gwoza in the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Buba Abatcha; commissioners, the Chairman of Gwoza Local Government Area and other top government officials.
