In a historic moment, the first batch of 300 Nigerian refugees made a landmark return to Gwoza after more than a decade away from home due to insurgency.
The group made up of 75 households arrived in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, ushering in the fourth phase of a major repatriation effort coordinated by state authorities, humanitarian partners, and neighbouring Cameroon.
These families had lived in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Cameroon for 11 years after fleeing violence at home. Their journey back was more than just a border crossing it marked a long-awaited return to community and dignity.
The return followed a pledge by Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for a safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation process. Leaders from both Nigeria and Cameroon participated in the farewell and welcome.
Upon reaching Pulka, many returnees knelt to touch the soil of their homeland, offered prayers, and took in familiar sights some for the first time despite spending much of their lives abroad.
To help restart their lives, each household head received ₦500,000, and each wife got ₦50,000 as reintegration support. The government also provided mattresses, wrappers, and essential food items.
This homecoming is part of a broader effort to rebuild infrastructure, restore livelihoods, and bring stability back to communities affected by years of conflict in northeastern Nigeria.
For these families, returning to Gwoza isn’t just going home it’s renewed hope, healing, and a chance to rebuild after years of displacement.
