Thousands Return To Town Liberated From Boko Haram

Thousands of Nigeria who fled the country due to Boko Haram attacks have begun their return from Cameroon.

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According to Mail Online, about 15,000 Nigerians have made the return journey from Cameroon to Gamboru although houses and livelihood were found destroyed.

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An official in the town said “more are coming in everyday,”

Gamboru was taken over by Boko Haram fighters in August, 2014 after a fierce battle which forced residents to flee to the Fotokol town of northern Cameroon.

Chadian forces as part of the military coalition created to fight the insurgency defeated and reclaimed the town in February last year. The battle left a lot of Boko Haram fighters dead pavin the way for the military announcement urging people to return to the liberated town.

Abacha Mari, one of the returnees said on Wednesday, January 20 that the town was in ruins.

“We found a looted and burnt out town which is a shadow of its former self.

“More than nine-tenths of the buildings in the town have been damaged by fire while ‎the rest have been washed away by the rains.

“Everything was looted and the streets are barely recognisable.”

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The returnees noted that although the town had been liberated early last year, the presence of military personnel was what gave them the confidence to return.

The return is being coordinated by Cameroonian and local officials.

The returnees and their belongings were first screened by Cameroonian soldiers before they were allowed into Nigeria and given necessary papers.

Source: Legit.ng