Buni visits Nigerian refugees in Chad, promises support for return

Governor Mala Buni of Yobe has promised Nigerian refugees in Chad that the government will help those who want to return to Nigeria.

This was shared in a statement by Mr Buni’s Director-General for Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, on Wednesday in Damaturu.

The governor made this promise on Tuesday during his visit to Nigerian refugees at the Kaya site in Lac Province of Chad to check on their well-being.

He said that refugees who want to go back to Nigeria should contact the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) for proper counting and documentation. After that, the state governments will help with their return.

“For those of you willing to return home, you should liaise with the Lake Chad Basin Commission to take the census while the state governments repatriate you to your respective states,” Mr Buni said.

The governor praised the refugees for living peacefully with their host communities and the government of Chad.

He urged them to follow the law and avoid any criminal activities. He also asked them to report any suspicious persons or movements in their areas.

Mr Buni expressed happiness at the refugees’ involvement in fishing and farming. He said these activities would help them become more independent and reduce their need for aid.

He assured them that the federal government would keep working with the Chadian government on their welfare and other issues they face.

In response, the leader of the refugee community, Ba-Bulama Usman, said Mr Buni’s visit brought them hope. He said it showed that the Nigerian government had not forgotten them.

“You are the only government official from Nigeria to visit us,” Mr Usman said.

He said the visit gave the refugees “a sense of belonging and hope,” and promised they would continue to be law-abiding and pursue peaceful ways of living alongside their host communities.

Mr Usman also promised that the community would work with the LCBC to identify refugees who want to return to Nigeria and inform their state governments for repatriation.

Earlier, Mr Buni visited the Governor of Lac Province, Saleh Tidjani, to thank the Chadian government for hosting Nigerian settlers and refugees. He praised their peaceful coexistence with the local communities.

He said Nigeria and Chad are committed to working together for peace, security, and economic cooperation.

Mr Buni also mentioned that the agreement made by the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri would be put into action to promote lasting peace, security, and economic growth in the area.

He said the forum aims to open waterways to improve transportation for security operations and help move goods and services.

In his remarks, Mr Tidjani called Mr Buni’s visit an honor and a chance to strengthen the partnership between Nigeria and Chad for peace, security, stability, and economic development.

Mr Buni was joined by the Executive Secretary of the LCBC, Ibrahim Babani; Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, S.T. Audu; and the Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Mohammed Goje, among others.