Zulum spends 2 days in Niger, undertakes clearance exercise in Malam-Fatori
By Matthew Eloyi
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has spent two days in Diffa and Bosso provinces of neighboring Niger Republic, from where he led some Nigerian refugees on Thursday, to undertake clearance exercise in Malam-Fatori, headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area in northern Borno.
According to reports, Zulum travelled to Niger on Tuesday evening and passed the night at Diffa. He was received by the Governor of Diffa Province, Issa Lameen with the leaders discussing how to effectively collaborate on planned repatriation of refugees from Borno.
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It was gathered that both Governors on Wednesday, moved to Bosso which is closer to Malam-Fatori. From that Wednesday to Thursday, Zulum led refugees to tour different parts of Malam-Fatori for clearance exercise, essentially assessing safety of the town for resettlement, after more than six years of taking refuge in Niger Republic.
Reports also say that Zulum’s visit was the latest of more than five previous visits, for assessments and reconstruction of homes and public services destroyed by Boko Haram during their violent occupation. He had also in July, 2021, inaugurated a committee to work out modalities for reconstruction and resettlement, same way communities in Baga, Banki among others, were rebuilt and resettled.
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Governor Zulum explained that safe relocation of civilian population to Malam-Fatori will hopefully commence by end of November 2021, after which Government will explore the possibility of returning people to Abadam town, which was also occupied by insurgents.
Zulum expressed appreciation to the President of Niger Republic, Muhammadu Bazoum, the Governor of Diffa Province, Issa Lameen and humanitarian officials for their tremendous support to refugees from Borno who lived in Niger since 2014 when they fled from insurgent attacks on their communities in northern parts of Borno.
