Zulum: Full Resettlement of IDPs Key to Defeating Boko Haram

In a strong statement made during a visit to the Muna internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri on Monday, Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, emphasized that the fight against Boko Haram cannot be fully won without ensuring the complete resettlement of displaced families in their original homes.

The Muna camp, which currently shelters over 11,000 families, was the site of Zulum’s remarks, where he shared the progress made in his administration’s resettlement efforts.

According to the governor, around 6,000 families have already been relocated to their respective communities in Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas (LGAs) as part of ongoing efforts to restore stability and reduce criminal activities within the camps.

“Boko Haram cannot be eradicated without resettlement. People need to return to their ancestral homes and regain their means of livelihood,” Zulum asserted, noting that the presence of IDP camps often exacerbates social issues such as prostitution, gangsterism, and child abuse, which further hinder the state’s security efforts.

The governor explained that each resettled family would be provided with food, shelter materials, and access to healthcare services.

Furthermore, male and female heads of households would receive N100,000, while housewives would be given N50,000 to support their reintegration into society.

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Zulum also highlighted that his administration had been working diligently to close all formal IDP camps within Maiduguri, a goal that is now almost fully realized.

“Seventy-five percent of the IDPs in Muna have already been resettled, and we expect the remaining 25 percent to return to their homes shortly,” he said.

He stressed that the resettlement initiative is not only a humanitarian response but also a critical security strategy aimed at rebuilding the state’s communities and preventing long-term reliance on aid.

As Borno continues to grapple with the effects of the Boko Haram insurgency, Governor Zulum’s approach underscores the belief that peace can only be sustained when displaced persons are empowered to rebuild their lives and their communities.