By Muhammad Mamman
After more than a decade of displacement triggered by insurgency in the North-East, hundreds of Nigerian refugees have returned from Cameroon to Pulka, Borno State, marking a significant step in the region’s journey towards lasting peace and recovery.
The returnees, many of whom were forced to flee their homes at the height of the Boko Haram conflict, arrived in Pulka amid tight security arrangements and coordinated humanitarian support. Their homecoming is being hailed as a major milestone in the gradual restoration of stability across parts of Borno State.
Security officials attributed the development to improved safety conditions resulting from sustained counter-insurgency operations by the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai. The military campaign, alongside collaboration with local authorities and international partners, has helped to degrade insurgent capabilities and reopen previously inaccessible communities.
Government sources described the return as a strong signal of renewed confidence in the security situation, noting that voluntary repatriation is a key indicator of progress in post-conflict recovery. Humanitarian agencies have also begun scaling up support to assist the returnees with shelter, healthcare, livelihoods and reintegration into their communities.
For the affected families, the return represents more than a physical journey home—it symbolises hope, resilience and the opportunity to rebuild lives disrupted by years of violence and uncertainty.
As reconstruction efforts continue, authorities say the focus will remain on sustaining security gains, restoring basic services and ensuring that returning communities can resettle safely and with dignity.
