Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has led a high-profile Nigerian delegation to Baga Sola in the Republic of Chad to initiate the repatriation of 7,790 Nigerian refugees who fled the Boko Haram insurgency nearly a decade ago. These displaced individuals, primarily from Borno State, have been residing in Chad due to the prolonged insurgency affecting communities around the Lake Chad Basin.
The delegation included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, and the Federal Commissioner/CEO of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons. Upon arrival in Baga Sola on Wednesday, they were received by the Governor of Lac Province, Saleh Tidjani.
In this first phase of the repatriation exercise, 1,768 families, totaling 7,790 individuals, are set to return to Nigeria. Prior to commencing the repatriation, Governor Zulum attended the signing of a tripartite agreement in Baga Sola between the governments of Nigeria, Chad, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Dr. Sununu signed on behalf of Nigeria, Governor Tidjani for Chad, and Jerome Merlin, Second Representative of the UNHCR in Baga Sola, for the UN refugee agency. 
Governor Zulum emphasized that only those who have voluntarily expressed a desire to return will be repatriated. He expressed gratitude to the government of Chad for hosting thousands of Nigerians displaced by the crisis in Borno.
The Nigerian delegation also included Abdulkadir Ibrahim Ghani, Head of Chancery at the Nigerian Embassy in N’Djamena; Hon. Karta Maina Ma’aji, Member of the Borno State House of Assembly representing Kukawa; Commissioners Prof. Usman Tar (Information) and Sugun Mai Mele (Local Government Affairs); and Mustapha Ali Busuguma, Permanent Secretary, Government House.
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Dr. Sununu commended Governor Zulum for his leadership and collaboration with the federal government, stating, “I want to thank the Executive Governor of Borno State for showing leadership during crises and serving as a role model in terms of complete collaboration with the federal government and for providing all the necessary support.”
This repatriation effort marks a significant step in addressing the displacement caused by the Boko Haram insurgency and underscores the commitment of both federal and state authorities to the safe return and resettlement of affected citizens.
