Nigeria announces plan to repatriate citizens seeking refuge in neighbouring countries

Efforts to repatriate Nigerians in neighbouring West African countries such Chad, Cameroon and Niger have commenced in a move driven by attacks by terror groups. Many of the Nigerian refugees are victims of extremist insurgencies who fled for safety some years ago…

The Nigerian government says it has commenced efforts to repatriate citizens in neighboring countries due to attacks by terrorist organizations.

Commissioner of the Nigerian Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons Ahmad Tijjani said that the Commission would outline the procedures to fast-track the return of many Nigerians who took refuge in neighboring countries Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

Thousands of Nigerians affected by the Boko Haram insurgency had fled to neighbouring countries at the peak of the insurgency.

Tijjani also disclosed that the government had also agreed to close the remaining Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri and return the displaced persons to their ancestral homes within the shortest possible time.

He commended the Borno government for its commitment to the welfare of the people concerned and assured them of the commission’s support at all times.

Boko Haram has been responsible for enormous violence in Nigeria since the early 2000s, especially in the northern part of the West African country.

Over 20,000 people have died in the group’s widespread violent attacks since 2009 while thousands of others were reportedly injured.

Hundreds of thousands of individuals have been compelled to move to neighbouring countries as a result of terrorist acts and conflicts in the country.