By; SÀDIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has facilitated the resettlement of over 3,000
By; SÀDIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has facilitated the resettlement of over 3,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) into 500 newly built mass housing units in Dara Jamal community, Bama Local Government Area, on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
The housing project, fully executed by the Borno State Government, is part of the state’s comprehensive Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (RRR) initiative.
The IDPs, who had been taking refuge at the Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) in Bama town for several years, have now been provided with permanent homes in Dara Jamal.
Governor Zulum, who is currently outside the country on official duty, was represented at the ceremony by the Chairman of the Committee on the Resettlement of Dara Jamal, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, who also serves as the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Addressing the resettled families and stakeholders during the commissioning, Wakilbe said: “His Excellency reconstituted the Bama Reconstruction Committee in 2023 with a renewed mandate to rebuild Dara Jamal, commence the reconstruction of Maiyinti, continue works in Tarmuwa, and begin reconstruction in Kumshe.
“Today, we are pleased to announce the successful completion of 500 houses in Dara Jamal and the resettlement of over 3,000 displaced persons,” Wakil be said.
He noted that Dara Jamal is one of several communities in Bama LGA severely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The reconstruction in the area represents a continuation of the state government’s commitment to restoring destroyed communities and restoring dignity to displaced citizens.
“From 2019 to 2023, we rebuilt and resettled Banki town and initiated work in other communities like Gurosoye, Malumchalari, Konduga, and Gwoza. The vision of His Excellency is to close all IDP camps and resettle our people in their ancestral homes before the end of 2027,” Wakilbe added.
He further disclosed that in addition to the 500 permanent housing units, the government plans to construct 1,000 temporary shelters in Dara Jamal to accommodate another 3,000 people, especially returnees willing to engage in farming this season.
As part of the support package, the Borno State Government provided each head of household with N100,000 and an additional N25,000 to each wife.
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) also delivered relief materials, including 25 kg bags of rice, 3 litres of cooking oil, mattresses, mats, and cartons of spaghetti.
“We are grateful to the federal government through the National Refugee Commission for the resettlement support packages and to Governor Zulum for the financial palliatives,” Wakilbe said.
“I also want to thank the security agencies—the Army, Police, Civil Defence, and vigilante groups—for their unwavering commitment and visible presence in Dara Jamal.”
As part of the formal process, the resettlement committee, led by Wakilbe, paid courtesy visits to key authorities, including the Shehu of Bama, His Royal Highness Alhaji Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi; the Commander of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Brig. Gen. T.A. Ayoola; the Commanding Officer of the 151 Task Force Battalion, Lt. Col. Namos; and the Chairman of Bama Local Government, Hon. Modu Gujja, to inform them of the progress and plans regarding the Dara Jamal resettlement.
This latest milestone reinforces the Zulum administration’s broader agenda to rebuild and restore conflict-affected communities across Borno, making them safe, habitable, and productive once again.
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