540 IDPs Return to Baga 21 Months After.

From Sadiq Abubakar

Maiduguri

Amidst cheers and excitements the people of the terrorists ravaged Baga town numbering  about 540 have finally made triumphant return  back home to Baga town around 3.30 pm Saturday, 26th September 2020 in fulfillment of  Governor Zulum ‘s pledge  to the Baga IDPs living in Maiduguri and Monguno  towns.

This was barely  after 21 months of force mass exodus from Baga for safety following series of threats and  attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in June, 2018  to desert  the town completely at the time  the Boko Haram elements finally captured the famous fish town and occupied it for over one year before it was liberated in 2019.

In his remark while addressing the Baga IDPs on their arrival which the Resettlement Committee received  Saturday evening, the Chairman of the committee, Barrister Kaka  Shehu Lawan  told the governor that about 540 people were screened  and tagged by the committee for  the first batch as the committee decided to resettle them strategically in batches to avoid security challenges and hiccup.

He assured that the committee will however soon relocate all those in Monguno before those in   Maiduguri  IDPs camps, adding it was why all the IDPs resettled were  from Monguno IDPs Camps alone while out of about 2500  over 500 were first screened, tagged   and moved to Baga town along with their belongings but will not be allowed to be moving unnecessarily within and out of the town due to land mines until the town is properly scanned  and free of land mines by the military.

Speaking, Governor Zulum appealed to them to caution their children against unnecessary movement within and outside the town as well as ensure they leave in peace and harmony with one another in unity, love and progress.

He also urged them to cooperate with the security forces and  provide them foodstuffs as well as security to cater for the safety of their lives and property while assuring them that government will provide them with all the necessary support and assistance for their livelihoods.

The governor thanked the military and committee members for their sacrifices and hard work while the District Head of Baga, Ajiya Arjimona thanked the governor for his efforts and support.

Ajiya further prayed for peace and tranquility in the town, state and country at large while assuring that, his subjects will continue to be loyal and obedient to all the constituted authorities.

He directed the committee to ensure that the renovated comprehensive center  is functional even it will warrant the committee hearing or engaging medical and health workers from the military clinic .

Inspecting the hospital equipment, mattresses and beds provided at the health center Saturday by the committee after addressing the Returnee IDPs , the governor told journalists in an interview that he really felt painful about the Friday attack on his convoy and described as unfortunate the ambush by ISWAP members on his convoy.

“However, we shall never be deterred on our course to return the Baga IDPs . We thank the military and committee for their efforts and we will give everybody the support to accomplish our mission”.

He also promised to compensate the families of those that were killed during the ISWAP members ambush and shoulder the medical bills of those wounded while praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives while in active service.

“I also  directed for the recruitment or hiring of nurses and casual workers for the health center. I also directed the committee to provide  electricity to the health center with a stand -by generator and solar energy “, Zulum said.

Zulum before leaving Baga town for Mile 4 military base, stopped over at the premises of the renovated Baga  Police Division Headquarters to address the newly deployed Mopol, policemen and civil defense personnel to Baga town.

He urged them to work very hard and ensure peace and harmony prevail among the people as well ensure proper maintenance of law and order among the residents of Baga while pledging government’s support to them to enable them discharge their duties deductively.