In a major move to stabilize the newly resettled community of Malam-Fatori, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State spent the weekend overseeing the distribution of N80 million in cash and essential food items to 4,000 households. The beneficiaries are primarily families who recently returned to the Abadam Local Government Area after spending over a decade as refugees in the Niger Republic, having fled the Boko Haram insurgency in 2014.
The intervention was designed to provide immediate relief to these returnees as they navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives in a desert terrain with limited resources. During the exercise, male heads of households were provided with N20,000 cash, a bag of rice, a bag of maize, and clothing materials. Similarly, female heads of households received N20,000 and wrappers. The Governor emphasized that the mission was about more than just material aid; it was a firm message to the people that they have not been abandoned.
Beyond the distribution of relief materials, Governor Zulum took the time to inspect irrigation farms being cultivated by the returnees along the shores of Lake Chad. He praised the resilience of the farmers, noting that agricultural activity is the backbone of sustainable recovery in the region. To further support these efforts, he pledged to provide better farming inputs and logistical help to ensure food security for the seven local councils within the Lake Chad basin.
In a show of gratitude to the neighbors who sheltered Borno citizens during their years of exile, the Governor also extended humanitarian assistance to over 6,000 vulnerable persons in Bosso, Niger Republic. This gesture was a formal recognition of the hospitality provided by the host communities over the last nine years.
The Governor’s visit also included a late-night assessment of Malam-Fatori to see how the town is coming back to life. He noted with satisfaction that local markets are becoming active again and social life is gradually returning after 16 years of disruption. To ensure this progress is protected, Zulum donated operational vehicles and logistics to the 68 Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed in the area, aiming to boost their capacity for patrols and rapid response against any security threats.
