Over 7,000 Nigerian Refugees to Return from Chad as Repatriation Begins…Army Promises Stronger Security Measures in Plateau…Nigeria Expands Efforts to House Refugees…Nigeria Sees Drop in Kidnappings, but Threat Persists
● Nigeria Begins Repatriation of Boko Haram Refugees from Chad
Boko Haram, a jihadist group that has terrorized northeastern Nigeria since 2009, has displaced millions, forcing many to flee to neighboring Chad. Now, the Nigerian government is working to bring some of them home.
On Wednesday, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum led a delegation of government officials to Baga Sola, Chad, to oversee the repatriation of 7,790 Nigerian refugees, according to Daily Trust. Zulum, alongside Humanitarian Affairs Minister Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu and other officials, was received by Chad’s Lac Province Governor Saleh Haggar Tidjani.
Nigeria, Chad, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed a tripartite agreement to launch the exercise. Zulum noted that only those who voluntarily indicate interest in returning will be repatriated, expressing gratitude to Chad for sheltering displaced Nigerians.
● New Army Commander Pledges to Tackle Plateau Killings Head-On
As Plateau State grapples with violent attacks that have left hundreds dead and displaced thousands, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, the new General Officer Commanding (OC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, has pledged a fair and just approach to restoring security.
During a visit to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Tuesday, Oyinlola stressed his commitment to ensuring “that all communities feel secure and supported.”
Plateau State has been one of the worst-hit by terrorist herdsmen, with Christian villages burned, residents killed or displaced, and farmlands destroyed. Oyinlola emphasized a balanced security approach, saying, “The security challenges in Plateau State require a multi-faceted approach. We must involve all stakeholders and ensure that their concerns are addressed in our quest for lasting peace”
Governor Mutfwang, in response, assured full government support. “Together we will return Plateau State to its pre-crisis status as a land of peace and tourism,” he stated.
● Nigeria Builds 8 Resettlement Cities as Refugee Numbers Grow
The Nigerian government is intensifying efforts to resettle displaced persons as over 6.1 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) seek shelter in the country’s northern states. More refugees are also expected from the United States due to deportation policies under President Donald Trump.
Federal Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijjani Aliyu, announced that eight resettlement cities have been built to accommodate those affected.
“The refugee commission has built eight resettlement cities in some northern states to resettle the refugees from abroad,” Aliyu stated as quoted by Daily Trust, adding that each city can house 40 households, with about 200 persons per camp.
Aliyu also revealed that Nigeria has begun multi-sectoral plans to repatriate over 100,000 Nigerian refugees currently in Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, while preparing to absorb deportees from the United States.
● Kidnapping Trends in Nigeria: Progress in 2024, But No End in Sight
Nigeria recorded a 16.3 percent decrease in kidnapping for ransom incidents in 2024, but security officials warn the threat remains severe.
Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre, said kidnappings increased slightly by 0.27 percent, with Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara accounting for the highest cases.
“Trends and impact of kidnapping incidents in 2024 occurred in rural and urban communities, targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential areas,” Laka said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Despite government measures, mass abductions persist, affecting farming communities and pushing food prices higher. The sustained payment of ransom has also continued to fuel the crime, reported Major General Laka.
Authorities have expanded anti-kidnapping efforts nationwide and urge citizens to report crimes using the toll-free 112 emergency number.
What’s News Today? February 7, 2025, compiled by Ezinwanne Onwuka for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
