Zulum Announces Closure of Borno's Largest IDP Camp

On Thursday, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State announced the closure of the largest Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Bama. During a visit to Gwoza, he disclosed that the Gwoza IDP camp would also be shut down within the next two to three weeks.

Zulum's decision follows a supervisory visit to the Bama IDP camp, where he conducted screenings of residents. The governor emphasized that the closures are intended to support the peaceful return of communities previously occupied by Boko Haram insurgents over the past seven years.

The Borno State Government has been resettling displaced persons across several communities in the Bama local government area, including Darajam, Nguro, Soy, Goniri, Banki, Abbaram, Ngosh, and Kirawa. However, Zulum expressed concerns about rising criminal activities within the camps and warned of the gradual infiltration of Boko Haram and ISWAP elements.

He noted that a significant number of fake IDPs were identified during the screening process, complicating the government's efforts to maintain the camps and distribute relief materials.