Seventeen days after resettling the first batch of IDPs from Baga the Borno State government returned a second batch to their ancestral home on Wednesday. This time 2,000 people who had been taking refuge at Teachers’ Village IDP Camp in Maiduguri and Monguno local government areas, will be re-settled.

On his way to resettle the first batch of 1,000 Baga IDPs resettlemen the Borno State governor’s convoy was attacked, and 30 people were killed, including 11 security personnel.

The population of Baga, the largest fishing town in the northeast Nigeria, was displaced 21 months ago by the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP).

Radio Ndarason International reporter Hadiza Dawud who was at the Teachers’ Village IDP Camp, reported that most of the intended returnees were excited and eager to return home.

“My name is Falmata Goniram, I am going home today. I am very excited. I know life will not be the same in Baga compared to our previous life, but there is no place like home.”

18 years old Fatima Ibrahim said, “I am not afraid of anything, nothing will happen to us and I want to go back home.”

Kolo Modu Kapinta a father of seven, while speaking to RNI said “Life is difficult here (IDP camp), toilets and shelter are inadequate. There are high rates of poverty and hunger amongst us, we can’t continue this way.”

Teachers’ Village Camp leader Bulama Mohammed said, “There is nothing to worry about, the government and the security operatives gave us safety assurance.”

He added that this is the right time to return the IDPs, and that they need start their lives again.

“Government have already completed all renovation and reconstruction of health, schools, markets and water facilities.” He added.

A member of the civilian joint Task Force Baga unit whose identity was concealed while speaking to RNI said, the security situation in Baga has improved, but he added that it will take time for life to return to normal.