Borno to repatriate over 3,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon after 11 years

The Borno State Government has concluded plans to begin the voluntary repatriation of more than 3,000 Nigerian refugees from the Republic of Cameroon to their ancestral communities after spending over 11 years in displacement.

The exercise aligns with the commitment of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to return and resettle all Borno indigenes who fled to neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger due to the insurgency.

The repatriation is being carried out with the support of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

On Monday, the Chairman of the Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation and member of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, met with officials from Cameroon’s Far North Region and representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the Minawao Refugee Camp in Maroua. The meeting focused on finalising logistical and operational arrangements to ensure the refugees’ safe and dignified return.

Governor Zulum had earlier visited the camp in December 2025, where he assured refugees willing to return home that adequate measures had been put in place to guarantee their safety and successful reintegration after more than a decade of displacement.

Most of the refugees, who originate from central and southern Borno communities, fled to Cameroon at the height of the insurgency, which destroyed villages, displaced thousands and crippled socio-economic activities across the North-East.

During their stay in Cameroon, the refugees received support from the host government and humanitarian partners, including access to shelter, healthcare and education. Many were also allocated farmland, enabling them to engage in agriculture and support their families.

With improved security in parts of Borno State and ongoing reconstruction and resettlement efforts, many refugees have indicated their willingness to return voluntarily.

The Borno State Government has provided buses and other logistics for the exercise, while the National Commission for Refugees is coordinating the repatriation in collaboration with Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian agencies.

“This is the fourth phase of the repatriation exercise, which began in 2020. The process is progressing smoothly in line with tripartite and technical working group agreements,” Wakilbe said, adding that all commitments made by Governor Zulum would be fulfilled upon the refugees’ return.

In a related engagement, Wakilbe led a delegation to the office of the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari, who praised the Borno State Government for sustaining strong bilateral relations and cooperation that have ensured the protection, welfare and orderly return of displaced persons.