Nigerian Refugees Return Home After 11 Years in Exile

After more than 11 years away from home, Nigerian families displaced by violence are finally coming back.

On January 27, Nigerian refugees living in Cameroon made the journey home to Borno State with help from military forces and humanitarian organizations. The families had fled across the border over a decade ago to escape Boko Haram insurgency that ravaged their communities.

Military troops from Operation Hadin Kai provided security as the returnees traveled from Minawawu in Cameroon through the Kirawa border crossing into Pulka town. Local security groups joined the effort to ensure everyone arrived safely.

More than 100 households made it home that day. Upon arrival, they received immediate support including cash assistance, food, mattresses, and clothing from a joint effort between the Borno State Government, federal agencies, and international organizations like UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.

The returnees are now staying at a reception center where they're receiving medical screenings and children are getting vaccinations. Representatives from the National Commission for Refugees coordinated the entire operation alongside state officials, including a delegation led by Governor Babagana Zulum's representative.

The Ripple Effect

This homecoming signals something bigger than one group's return. It reflects years of work to restore peace and stability to communities torn apart by conflict.

The successful repatriation follows a similar operation 11 months earlier that brought nearly 8,000 Nigerians home from Chad. Officials credit sustained security improvements for creating conditions safe enough for families to return.

The collaboration between military forces, government agencies, local communities, and international humanitarian groups shows how coordinated efforts can rebuild lives. Civil-military cooperation in the region continues to strengthen, making future returns possible.

Plans are already underway to help additional families still in Cameroon make the journey home. Each successful return brings communities one step closer to healing and restoration after years of displacement.

These families waited over a decade to go home, and now they're finally getting that chance.