Yobe State Governor and Chairman of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum, Mai Mala Buni, has visited Nigerian refugees at the Kaya site in Lac Province, Chad, to assess their living conditions.
Buni praised the peaceful relationship between the refugees, their host communities and the Chadian government.
The governor also urged the refugees to obey the law, avoid crime and report suspicious people, movements and cases of infiltration in their area.
He expressed satisfaction that some of the refugees were engaged in fishing and farming, saying the activities would help them become more self-reliant.
Buni assured them that the Nigerian government would continue working with the Chadian authorities to support their welfare.
“For those of you willing to return home, you should liaise with the Lake Chad Basin Commission to take the census, while the state governments repatriate you back to your respective states,” Buni said.
The leader of the refugee community, Ba Bulama Usman, thanked Buni for visiting them and described him as the first Nigerian government official to visit the camp.
“This visit has given us a sense of belonging and hope. We will remain law-abiding and pursue our means of livelihood peacefully with the host communities and with respect to the laws of the land,” Bulama said.
He added that the refugees would work with the Lake Chad Basin Commission to identify those who want to return to Nigeria and inform their respective state governments.
“We also appreciate the support given to us and want to assure you that everyone will benefit from this generous benevolence,” he added.
Earlier, Buni met with the Governor of Lac Province, Gen. Saleh Hagar Tidjani, where he thanked the Chadian government for accommodating Nigerian refugees and promoting peaceful relations between them and their host communities.
Buni said Nigeria and Chad would continue to cooperate on peace, security and stronger relations between both countries.
He also reaffirmed the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum’s commitment to implementing agreements reached at its meeting in Maiduguri last year.
Governor Tidjani described the visit as an honour and said it showed the commitment of both sides to improving peaceful coexistence, security, stability and economic development in the region.
Buni was accompanied by senior officials, including the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, and the Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Maj. Gen. S. T. Audu.
Buni visits Nigerian refugees in Chad, assesses living conditions