A total of 3,122 refugees, displaced by Boko Haram attacks, have been cleared for repatriation to their communities in Gwoza and Bama Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State, Nigeria. The refugees were cleared for return after being screened by a joint team consisting of representatives from the Nigerian government, the Cameroonian government, the Borno State government, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the Minawao Refugee Camps in Maroua, Cameroon.
Rudacogora Monique, the Head of the UNHCR Sub-Office in Maroua, expressed confidence that the repatriation would take place in safety and dignity. The process, which began earlier in the week, saw 306 refugees, comprising 71 households from Gwoza, and 2,816 refugees, comprising 486 households from Bama, cleared for repatriation.
Monique acknowledged the successful collaboration between the Nigerian and Cameroonian governments, as well as the UNHCR, in ensuring the safety and well-being of the refugees. She also noted that many of the refugees had voluntarily chosen to return to Nigeria, after discussions and assurances during a meeting with the Borno State Governor in December 2025.
The UNHCR official thanked Cameroon for hosting the refugees, acknowledging that the country had been a safe haven for them during their displacement. Despite their departure, she emphasized that Cameroon’s hospitality would not be forgotten.
Sone Clement Ngoe, the Divisional Officer of Mayo and Tsanaga, the administrative division hosting the Minawao camps, also commended the smooth operation of the repatriation process, stating that it was being carried out under the guidance of the Governor of the Far-North Region, Gov. Midjinyawa Bakari.
Tijani Aliyu, the Chairman of the Repatriation Technical Committee and Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), reassured the refugees about their safety during transit and thanked the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for ensuring protection during the repatriation operation.
This marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to support the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of refugees to their communities, as part of a collaborative effort between Nigeria, Cameroon, and the UNHCR.
