IDPs return home, engage in irrigation

Alhaji Mai Musa, Acting Chairman, Gujba Local Government of Yobe, said people who fled the area due to the Boko Haram insurgency, had returned to their respective communities and engaged in irrigation farming.

Musa disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.

"The people have engaged in irrigation farming in most of the communities, while business activities have picked up in the village markets," he said.

The chairman said except Buni Yadi, headquarters of the local government, most of the communities had returned and engaged in various means of livelihood.

"As you know, Buni Yadi, has since been liberated and occupied by the security but, they have yet to be authorised by the residents to return.

"Although the people are anxious to go back, the security forces are still clearing the town to ensure that it is free from explosive devices that might have been planted by the insurgents when they occupied the town," he said.

Musa also said trading activities had also improved in Wagir, adding, "we have recorded increase in livestock trade in Wagir after the liberation of the area’’.

He commended the military/civilian relationship in the liberated communities, saying it had strengthened mutual trust between the army and the host communities.

"Members of the host communities have constituted vigilance groups working closely with the army and, this has recorded tremendous success in identifying the insurgents and effectively fighting them," the chairman said.

He said the resettlement of people in the reclaimed areas had consolidated the success recorded by the military over insurgents.

He, however, lamented the destruction of public and private structures in the affected areas during the occupation of the insurgents.

"Boreholes, schools, hospitals and private properties were either burnt or vandalised.

"There is the urgent need for government, international organisations, donor agencies and philanthropists to contribute and support the resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the people," the chairman said.