Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum announced the successful resettlement of 6,000 families displaced by Boko Haram insurgency from the Muna Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri to their ancestral homes in Dikwa and Mafa local government areas.
The initiative, part of Zulum’s broader strategy to close IDP camps and restore normalcy, addresses rising illicit activities in the camp, including prostitution, gangsterism, and child abuse. During a visit to Muna, one of Borno’s largest camps with over 11,000 families, Zulum emphasized that resettlement is essential to eradicating Boko Haram’s influence by enabling families to rebuild livelihoods through farming and trade.
Each resettled family received support packages, including food items, shelter materials, and access to healthcare services. Male and female heads of households were given ₦100,000, while housewives received ₦50,000 to aid their transition. The resettlement aligns with Zulum’s Mega Farms Scheme, which has cultivated 3,611 hectares across 10 local government areas, including Dikwa and Mafa, to boost agriculture. Security measures, such as deploying Agro Rangers and vigilantes, have been strengthened to protect returnees from insurgent attacks. The government has also rehabilitated irrigation schemes in Dikwa to support year-round farming, with crops like rice, maize, and sesame prioritized.
The move comes amid concerns about overcrowding and deteriorating conditions in IDP camps, which have housed millions since Boko Haram’s insurgency began in 2009. Zulum’s administration has resettled over 20,000 families since 2019, but challenges remain, including limited infrastructure in returnee communities and ongoing threats from Boko Haram factions.
The governor has pledged to sustain support through vocational training and microcredit programs, aiming to make Dikwa and Mafa self-sufficient. The resettlement has been cautiously welcomed, though some families expressed fears about safety, underscoring the delicate balance between humanitarian aid and security in Nigeria’s Northeast.