BY USMAN MOHAMMED, APRIL 22, 2025, 5:02 PM
Repatriated Nigerians recently brought back from Chad are returning to their former host country, citing insecurity and lack of food in their home communities.
YERWA EXPRESS NEWS spoke to returnees in Doron Baga, who, despite Borno government's N200,000 cash support and food supplies, many say they could not stay as they cannot farm or fish due to Boko Haram's presence.
According to Mallam Garba, 46, a father of four, the terrorists are currently controlling farmlands and fishing areas in Doron Baga.
'The government gave us N200,000, but it did not last. Boko Haram controls Tumbun Barebari, Musaram, and Dam. If we go there, we pay taxes—sometimes with our lives, that is why many of us are returning to Chad,' he said.
Baba Baga, a fisherman and father of eight, told our reporter through a phone conversation that his eldest son has gone back to Chad because of idleness.
'He fishes there and sends us food. Here, we have nothing. Many who did not get the government’s support yet have left again,' he said.
The Borno State Government and Federal Government repatriated over 8,000 Nigerians from Chad. While food and cash were provided, the inability to secure farmland and fishing areas has made resettlement difficult.
'The government has made efforts by providing irrigation tools to some of the communities, but Boko Haram controls some of the major fields,' he said.
Another returnee who prefers not to be named also told our reporter that 'unless the military secures the area, people will keep leaving; as I'm talking, my bag is ready; I'm just waiting for a phone call.'
He added that the return of IDPs to Chad shows the challenges of resettlement in the state. 'What we need from the government is simple: just give us security, let us have access to our farmland and fishing areas.'
This is a setback to the government's effort to ensure abandoned territories are repopulated and civil authorities are restored.
The government is investing massively in this direction. In the Baga axis, a massive irrigation project is being midwifed by the state government in order to restore production of food and livelihoods.
Similarly, markets and commercial roads have opened in many of these hitherto abandoned and deserted areas.
The government is expected to jack up security in resettled communities so that the gains of resettlement are not lost.
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