The Borno State Government has completed arrangements for the voluntary repatriation of more than 3,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon, marking a significant step in resettling citizens displaced by the long-running insurgency in the northeast.

According to a statement from Malam Dauda Iliya, spokesman for Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the move fulfills the governor’s commitment to repatriate and reintegrate all Borno indigenes who have been sheltering in neighboring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger for over 11 years.

The refugees, primarily from communities in central and southern Borno—including areas such as Gwoza and Bama—fled to Cameroon during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, which destroyed villages, displaced families, and severely disrupted socio-economic life across the region.

During a visit to the Minawao Refugee Camp in Cameroon’s Far North Region on December 8, 2025, Governor Zulum personally assured willing returnees of a safe and dignified return, describing it as the beginning of a new chapter for affected families.

While in exile, the refugees received support from Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian partners, including shelter, healthcare, education, and access to farmland that enabled agricultural activities and greater self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on aid.

The operation is supported by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), in collaboration with Cameroonian officials and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Chairman of the Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation and a member of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, recently met with delegations at the Minawao camp to finalize logistics, including transportation provided by the state government.

This initiative represents the fourth phase of repatriation efforts that began in 2020, proceeding under a tripartite agreement emphasizing voluntary, safe, and orderly returns.