6,240 Nigerian refugees in Niger set to return home

About 6,240 Nigerians who fled their Malam fatori homes in Abadam local government council of Borno state to Niger Republic, following the ongoing military operations on Boko Haram insurgents in northern Borno, are to return to their homes as peace is gradually returning to the town.

The Nigerians who indicated willingness to return home told the Borno state Deputy Governor that their host community in Niger has been kind to them.

Addressing the refugees on Saturday, in Bosso local government of Diffa province in Niger, Deputy Governor of Borno state, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha thanked the Nigerien government for assisting them at the time of need.

Zannah said, assured the Nigerien government that Nigeria will not forget their intervention.

He said government has already sent in 300 tons of food items to be distributed to both the refugees and their hosts, adding that government would continue to live up to its expectation.

While speaking earlier, the Secretary General of Diffa, Hassan Ardo who represented the Governor of Diffa told the Deputy Governor of Borno state that, when the refugees arrived his country,they registered 6,240 among which the government of Niger was able to immunize over 1,500 children against polio.

He said, the people of Niger are concerned about the activities of terrorists in Nigeria and particularly in Borno state and prayed for God’s intervention.

Ardo said Niger would continue to appreciate Nigeria for its brotherly role and would remain grateful, particularly to President Goodluck Jonathan, who has continued to be a father to many Nigeriens living in Nigeria.