FG announce plans to repatriate 20,000 Nigerian refugees

Federal Government has announced plans to repatriate 20,000 Nigerian refugees from the Republic of Chad and Cameroon, in the next two months.

Aliyu Tijani, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, stated this after a meeting with the Tripatite Working Group (TWG) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR), Tuesday in Abuja.

“We are looking at 3,000 households from Chad that is about 6,000 people to be repatriated from Chad.

“In the case of Cameroon the number we have is about 14,000 people. However, we will not force anybody to return to this country.

“Arrangements are ongoing to profile those willing to return. The time frame is within the next two months,” he said.

Tijani, however, did not disclose the cost implications, but noted that the government would do everything possible to ensure the safe return of Nigerians.

He said: “We are yet to determine the cost implications for the repatriation of our people in Cameroon and Chad. We have sent a memo to that effect. By the time we get the total bill, I think the government of the federation will intervene.

“I want to tell you that the government of Nigeria will do everything possible to ensure that money is provided for this.

“They have done that before I am sure they will continue to do that. Do not forget that in 2022 about 5,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Cameroon.”

He explained that most of returnees left the country because of 2022 flood that ravaged the country and the crisis between herders and farmers.

“Don’t forget that in 2022, we had a very serious flood and many of our people left this country. Some fled to Chad.

“Some left to Cameroon, including the crisis between herders and farmers, are contributing factors. The number is not too much to think that they cannot leave this country,” he said.

On this issue of rehabilitation, where the returnees would be camped and the support system by the government, he said” Repatriation is ongoing in Banki and in Baga in Borno State, and the construction of houses.

“We are making arrangements, liaising with the government of Borno State, to ensure that most of those that will be returning will be taken to skill acquisition centres.

“Borno State has a very magnificent skills acquisition centres waiting for the returnees.

“As they return we will give them some training, then we will give them start-up packs. Government will not continue to be fending for them for life. We will have to provide a durable solution and the durable solution is the shelter, start-up packs for them.”

UNHCR Deputy Representative (Protection), Bernadette Mutakale Muteshi, on her part, said the international organisation, would provide counseling for them.

Muteshi said: “We will offer them with documentations to state their profile and any special arrangements that need to be made.

“After that, we will provide them with information both general and private as will as counseling. And together with the two governments, we will discuss about the legal framework and the arrangements they are coming back to meet. We will also work with both governments to arrange the logistics.”