Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The Borno State Government has completed preparations to repatriate over 3,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon, marking a significant phase in long‑running efforts to bring home citizens displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency more than a decade ago. The initiative, which reflects improved security conditions in parts of Borno State and strong cooperation between Nigerian, Cameroonian and international partners, will target refugees who have been living in exile since fleeing violence at the height of the conflict.
Officials said the repatriation will focus on people originally from central and southern Borno communities, many of whom have been sheltering in the Minawao Refugee Camp in Cameroon’s Far North Region near Maroua. The camp has been a principal safe haven for Nigerians displaced by insurgent attacks on their homes and villages since the early 2010s.
On Monday, 26 January 2026, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Chairman of the Borno State Sub‑Committee on Repatriation and a member of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, met with a delegation from the Government of Cameroon’s Far North Region and officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at Minawao to finalise logistical arrangements for the voluntary return process. Participating parties agreed on transportation, screening and support measures designed to ensure that the movement of returnees is conducted safely and with respect for human dignity.
The planned movement represents the fourth phase of structured repatriation efforts that began in 2020 under a tripartite framework involving Nigeria, Cameroon and the UNHCR. Government sources said the latest phase is progressing smoothly in accordance with technical agreements established by the three parties and will be coordinated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in conjunction with state, federal and Cameroonian authorities.
Speaking at the meeting, Engineer Wakilbe reiterated the Borno State Government’s commitment to providing logistical support, including buses and related transport resources, to facilitate the refugees’ return. He also referenced commitments previously made by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum during a December 2025 visit to the camp, in which the governor assured refugees willing to return that they would be welcomed home in a safe and dignified manner and receive support for reintegration once back in Borno.
While in Cameroon, many of the refugees had access to shelter, healthcare, education and land for farming, provided by Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian partners, enabling a degree of self‑sufficiency over the years. The decision to return has been described as voluntary and driven in part by improvements in security and reconstruction efforts in parts of Borno state, particularly in local government areas such as Gwoza and Bama, which were once among the hardest hit by insurgent activity.
As of January 26, a total of 3,122 refugees had already been cleared for repatriation, with screening conducted by joint teams from the Nigerian federal government, the Borno State Government, the Government of Cameroon and UNHCR representatives at the camp. This clearance covered individuals from a range of households originally displaced from Gwoza and Bama LGAs, demonstrating broad participation in the planned voluntary return movement.
The repatriation process is framed as part of wider state and federal government strategies to restore normalcy and rebuild communities devastated by the insurgency. Authorities have emphasised that voluntary return and reintegration must be conducted in line with international standards for safety and dignity, underscoring the collaborative nature of the arrangement with Cameroonian counterparts and humanitarian agencies.
The initiative has drawn praise from officials and community leaders, who view the repatriation as a meaningful step toward healing and reconstruction after years of displacement. As the operation continues to unfold, attention will focus on the practicalities of reintegration, including housing, access to services and livelihoods support, to ensure that returnees can rebuild their lives sustainably within their home communities in Borno State.
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