The Borno State government has resettled over 569 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Auno Village of Konduga local government area of the state back to their ancestral home, six months after they were displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.
Auno Community which is 20 kilometres away from Maiduguri was in February this year attacked by insurgents, where over 80 people were killed with several vehicles, houses and shops destroyed.
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Following the deadly attack, the residents were subsequently relocated to Maiduguri, the state capital while the reconstruction of some burnt houses was done by the state government.
While briefing journalists at a Press Conference in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the Borno State Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, Engr. Mustapha Gubio said that the state government decided that it was time to relocate the residents back to their homes as an office of the State Rapid Response Squad was established to fully secure the axis.
He said that the displaced persons fled their homes after the insurgents attacked the community, adding that the resettled persons took refuge at Njimtilo, Jakana, Malam Karamti and Malam Bukarti communities of Konduga local government area.
The Commissioner said Governor Babagana Zulum had secured fund from the Bank of Industry (BOI), which facilitated the construction of 80 new houses for the displaced persons in Auno, stressing that the state government will also construct an additional 100 new housing units from the fund for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Engr Gubio said: “The state government has also inspected the ongoing construction of a vocational training centre supported by Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi Foundation in Auno community. The project, when completed will provide necessary vocational skills to build the capacity of the people in the area.”
Also speaking, Dr Mairo Mandara, Special Adviser and Coordinator, Humanitarian Activities to Governor Babagana Zulum, reiterated the government commitment to the implementation of policies and programmes, to provide alternative means of livelihood to youth and women.
Dr Mandara therefore, urged the resettled people of Auno to focus on their farming activities, so that they will be self-reliant.
The Chairperson, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA), Hajiya Yabawa Kolo in her remarks, said that the IDPs voluntarily opted to return home to enable them to resume their normal way of life.
She said the Agency distributed assorted food and relief items to each of the returnees such as rice; cooking oil, mosquito nets, blankets, textile materials and mattresses.
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