SAN FRANCISCO, July 09, (THEWILL) – No fewer than 35,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have so far returned to their ancestral homes from various camps in Borno North in the last two weeks.
This was revealed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai in an address during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
Buratai said the return of the IDPs was made possible by the conduct of the current “Operation Last Hold’’ by the army in Borno North and Lake Chad region.
He described the operation as unique as it was primarily aimed at “facilitating the return of internally displaced persons from the various camps back to their ancestral homes.’’
According to him, it is also aimed at providing the much needed security for farmers to return to their farms during this planting season and beyond.
Giving the breakdown, the army chief said that in Gudumbali District alone in Guzamala Local Government Area of the state, more than 25, 000 farmers, who were formally IDPs had returned
He said 10,109 had returned to communities in Kukawa Local Government Area with more still being expected.
Buratai said the army was committed more than ever before to stabilise the North East, and achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s security objective in other parts of the country, as well.
