Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State says over one million persons displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the state have so far been resettled by the government.
Zulum made this known on Wednesday in Maiduguri while presenting the 2024 budget to the state House of Assembly.
He said the improved peace in the state had facilitated the closure of many camps and the return of displaced persons to their communities.
He stated, “The prevailing peace bestowed upon us by Allah in Borno has facilitated the resettlement of over one million fellow citizens previously dwelling in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
“They now reside securely with dignity in more than 20,000 newly constructed and rehabilitated resettlement homes across their ancestral communities in various Local Government Areas of the state.
“Additionally, we have reinstated civil authority, provided essential amenities and established livelihoods for the returnees. I am pleased to report to this Honourable House that the security situation in the state has greatly improved and will continue to improve.”
He urged the people of the state to support the government’s efforts in the reintegration of repentant insurgents into the society, noting that the dialogue initiated by the government had led to the surrender of over 150,000 insurgents and their families.
Zulum said the disamarment, demobilisation, deradicalisation, rehabilitation, reconciliation and reintegration approach of the government aligned with the United Nations’ framework on handling persons exiting violence.
“It remains the best way forward”, he said, adding that the initiative had received support from various stakeholders including the UN and the European Union.
Zulum said Germany was supporting the programme with €10m, as the state continued seeking for more grants to run the programme.
The News Agency of Nigeria quoted Zulum as saying he would personally take charge of the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.
(NAN)
