The Zamfara State Government has officially received over seven hundred indigenous citizens who fled to Kwara State seven years ago due to persistent insecurity.
The returnees were welcomed by the Deputy Governor Mani Mummuni who urged them to put aside their regrets and fully integrate back to their communities
For seven long years, the seven hundred indigenes of the state lived as exiles in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Mostly from Fulani farming and herding communities across five local government areas, they were forced to flee their ancestral homes by relentless banditry and violence.
The returnees reveal that the Kwara State Government ultimately facilitated their relocation back home after years of severe displacement and economic hardship.
Welcoming them back, Deputy Governor Mani Mummuni engaged the returnees in an emotional dialogue, emphasizing the critical need for peace and reconciliation.
The Deputy Governor assured them that the state government is fully prepared to support their reintegration into society.
However, he issued a stern warning against any form of criminal involvement.
For many of these returnees, life away from home was tough. Beyond the harsh conditions, they said they were subjected to heavy suspicion and false accusations linking them to banditry, driven by the ongoing security crisis in the North-West region.
Tragically, they revealed that more than one hundred and fifty children died during their time away due to severe illnesses and poor living conditions in exile.The mass repatriation marks a major step in the Zamfara State Government’s ongoing efforts to rebuild communities shattered by years of insecurity and displacement.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
