Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the resettlement of 6,000 families displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency. These families, mainly from Dikwa and Mafa local government areas, have been living in the Muna Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri, one of the largest in the state, with over 11,000 households.
The governor made the announcement on Monday during a visit to Muna camp, where he addressed journalists and IDPs. He said the state government had decided to begin relocating the remaining residents due to increasing levels of illicit and criminal activities within the camp.
According to Zulum, allowing people to remain in camps indefinitely contributes to social decay. “Boko Haram can never be eradicated without resettlement taking place. People have to go back to their homes and earn their livelihood,” the governor stressed.
He expressed concern over the growing wave of social vices in the camp, stating, “We have observed increasing prostitution, gangsterism, child abuse, and other criminalities in the IDP camps. These are consequences of idleness and prolonged displacement.”
Zulum recalled that about four years ago, his administration made a commitment to close all formal IDP camps within Maiduguri city. “So far, so good, we’ve shut down about 12 of them. Only two informal camps remain, including Muna. We have already resettled 75 percent of the people here. The remaining 25 percent will be relocated to their ancestral homes in the coming days,” he assured.
Comprehensive Resettlement Support for Returnees
Governor Zulum also revealed details of the support package prepared for the returning families. Each of the 6,000 families will receive essential food items, shelter materials, and access to basic healthcare services to help them restart their lives in their communities.
In addition, the state government will provide financial support to ease their reintegration. According to the governor, each head of household, whether male or female, will receive N100,000. Furthermore, every housewife will get an extra N50,000 to support their domestic and economic needs.
Plans to Upgrade Skills Centre at Maiduguri Correctional Facility
Earlier on Monday, Governor Zulum visited the Maiduguri Maximum Security Correctional Facility, where he announced plans to upgrade its vocational and skill acquisition centre. The move is aimed at improving rehabilitation and helping inmates acquire useful skills that will enable them to reintegrate into society upon release.
Speaking during the visit, the governor emphasized the need for correctional centres to serve their true purpose. “The essence of prison sentences is to transform lives, not just to confine individuals. We are here to assess the inmates’ welfare, especially in areas related to vocational and technical training,” he said.
Zulum stressed that successful rehabilitation depends on the availability of functional equipment and training programmes. “The reform process cannot be feasible without proper facilities on the ground,” he noted.
He also hinted that the state government would review the cases of some inmates, particularly those convicted of minor offences. “Within the ambit of the law, we’ll explore possibilities for their release,” he added.
Governor Zulum was accompanied on the visits by a member of the House of Representatives, Bukar Talba; the Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Mallumbe; Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Sheikh Modu Mustapha; and the Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Barrister Mustapha Ali Busuguma.
