More than 500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) – who fled to avoid persistent and deadly attacks by insurgents and who were now living in other parts of Nigeria and neighbouring Niger – are preparing to return to their home community in the Abadam Local Government Area in Borno State.

Muhammad Mala, chairman of the camp in Abadam, told RNI reporter Nana Hadiza Mustapha that the IDPs were overwhelmed by the government’s decision allowing them to return to their home town.

He said the IDPs were expected to return before the fasting period of Ramadan, which begins on the evening of April 2.

“The governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has visited us several times and he said the IDPs are happy to be returning to their homes. He said they were not afraid because the government had assured them that there was enough security to keep them safe. Some of the IDPs were so happy that they hardly slept when they heard the good news. They were jubilant.”

Mala said about 500 Malum Fatori IDPs, who were very unhappy and were not coping with life in Bosso and Diffa in Niger, would be the first to return home. The others would be returned in batches.

“Many of the IDPs are busy preparing and packing up their belongings. When they get back to Abadam, those who are homeless will stay inside the camp. Many lost their homes during the insurgency. The lucky ones still have homes to go to.”

Modu Kura, an IDP now living in Bosso in Niger, said: “We are ready to leave. Our town is much more comfortable than this place. This place is like living in the desert. I am not use to this environment. I can’t wait to return to our town of Abadam.”

He said they were expecting to leave in a week.

AISHA JAMAL