Gov. Zulum Begins Closure Of Unofficial Camps in Maiduguri, Resettles 12,985 From 9 LGAs, With N954.7m

Gov. Zulum begins closure of unofficial camps in Maiduguri, resettles 12,985 from 9 LGAs, with N954.7m

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has on Friday flagged off the commencement of the closure of unofficial Internally Displaced Person’s (IDPs), camps in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital with disbursement of N954.7m to 12,985 returnees from 9 local government areas of Bama, Konduga, Jere, Gwoza, Dikwa, Ngala, Mafa and Marte..

Governor Babagana Zulum, while flagging off the closure of the unofficial camps at the Muna IDP camp, Maiduguri,” we are here to flagg off the the commencement of the closure of the unofficial camp. You may recall that 3 years ago Bormo state government started closing of all official camps in Maiduguri . Today we are here to flagg off the closure of unofficial camps in Muna camp”.

The 12,985 resettled IDPs comprises 4,880 male heads of household, 1,230 female heads of household, 6,875 married women and other family members were earmarked to be resettled in 9 LGAs, while the first phase of those to be resettled are to communities in 6 LGAs of Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Kukawa, Jere and Ngala.

Governor Zulum who expressed his concern over the criminal activities in the Muna IDP camp; said, “I think people of Borno State will bear witness that this is one of the most notorious camps in Borno State. There’s a lot of prostitution ongoing in this camp; there’s a lot of procreation without care going on in this camp, And above all, there’s a lot of criminality that is ongoing in this camp. Including theft and rubbery.”

Zulum said each of the 4,880 male heads of household and another 1,230 female heads of household received N100,000, while about 6,875 married women each received N50,000 cash, stressing that while cash support was distributed, to 6,875 married women also received maize, rice, and mattresses, including mats, Oil, and kitchen utensils..

“This food items we are giving to the returnees is from NEMA. A few days ago, we lunched the distribution of food items donated to the government of Borno by the federal government at Pulka..I want to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to commend the office of the Vice President, I also want to commend NEMA for partnering with us to ensure sustainable resettlement of the IDPs in this very important camp”, he added.

The governor said ” this resettlement is voluntary. All these IDPs have expressed their willingness to return to their ancestral home or other areas with relative peace and tranquillity. So, the resettlement is in line with the Kampala convention, which signifies that IDPs are to be resettled in a dignified manner.”

Zulum expressed his concern over the criminal activities in the Muna IDP camp; he said, “I think people of Borno State will bear witness that this is one of the most notorious camps in Borno State. There’s a lot of prostitution ongoing in this camp; there’s a lot of procreation without care going on in this camp, And above all, there’s a lot of criminality that is ongoing in this camp. Including theft and robbery.”