By Abdullahi Inuwa
For Nigerian refugees living far from home in the Kaya refugee site in Chad’s Lac Province, the arrival of Yobe State Governor and Chairman of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, was more than an official visit.
It was a moment of recognition, reassurance and renewed hope.
The refugees openly described Governor Buni as the first Nigerian government official to visit their community since they sought refuge in Chad, saying his presence had given them a powerful sense of belonging and renewed confidence that they had not been forgotten.
Buni’s visit to the refugee settlement was part of efforts to assess the welfare of Nigerians displaced by insecurity and strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and Chad on humanitarian, security and economic issues.
The visit, according to a statement by the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the governor, Alhaji Mamman Muhammad, also provided an opportunity for Buni to interact directly with the refugees and their host communities.
Addressing the refugees, the governor commended the peaceful relationship existing between the Nigerians, their Chadian hosts and the government of Chad.
He urged the refugees to continue to obey the laws of their host country, remain peaceful and avoid activities that could threaten the security of the community.
Buni particularly warned against allowing criminal elements or suspicious individuals to infiltrate the settlement, urging the refugees to report strange movements and persons to the appropriate authorities.
Beyond security, the governor was encouraged by the refugees’ efforts to rebuild their livelihoods despite the difficult circumstances surrounding their displacement.
He noted that their involvement in fishing and farming was important not only for their survival but also for reducing dependence on humanitarian assistance.
According to him, productive economic activities would help the refugees regain self-reliance while contributing positively to the communities that have accommodated them.
Buni assured the refugees that the Nigerian Government would continue to work with the Chadian authorities to safeguard their welfare.
He also opened the door for those wishing to return home, explaining that the process would involve coordination with the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
“For those of you willing to return home, you should liaise with the Lake Chad Basin Commission to take the census, while the state governments will repatriate you to your respective states,” he said.
The statement immediately resonated with the refugee community.
Their leader, Bulama Usman, described Buni’s visit as historic, saying no Nigerian government official had previously visited them at the settlement.
“You are the only government official from Nigeria to visit us,” Usman said, stressing that the governor’s presence had restored a sense of belonging among the refugees.
He pledged that the community would continue to live peacefully, respect Chadian laws and maintain cordial relations with their hosts.
Usman also said the refugees were prepared to work with the Lake Chad Basin Commission to identify those who wished to return to Nigeria and communicate their names to their respective state governments for repatriation.
The refugee leader expressed appreciation for the assistance they had received and assured the governor that the community would continue to pursue legitimate means of livelihood.
Buni’s visit was not limited to the refugee camp. Earlier, he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Lac Province, General Saleh Hagar Tidjani, where discussions centred on security, peaceful coexistence, economic development and regional cooperation.
Buni commended the Chadian Government for opening its doors to Nigerians displaced by conflict and for creating an environment in which Nigerian refugees and settlers could coexist peacefully with local communities.
He stressed that Nigeria and Chad share common security and economic interests, particularly around the Lake Chad Basin, and must therefore continue to work together to protect their people and promote development.
The Yobe governor further reaffirmed the commitment of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum to implementing resolutions reached at its meeting in Maiduguri last year.
He said the forum would continue to pursue initiatives capable of strengthening security, stimulating economic activity and improving the livelihoods of communities around the Lake Chad Basin.
One of the priorities, he disclosed, is the opening of waterways to facilitate transportation, security operations and the movement of goods and services across the region.
“We are committed to opening the waterways to enhance transportation for security operations and the movement of goods and services. We will pursue this with vigour to improve the lives of our people,” Buni assured.
For the governor of Lac Province, Buni’s visit represented more than diplomacy. General Saleh Hagar Tidjani described it as an honour and a clear demonstration of the growing cooperation between the two countries.
He said the engagement would contribute to peaceful coexistence, stronger security and greater stability while creating opportunities for economic growth among communities in the Lake Chad region.
Buni’s delegation included Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani; Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Maj. Gen. S. T. Audu; Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Dr. Mohammed Goje; Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd.); Honorary Adviser on Policy Delivery, Dr. Kole Shettima; Honorary Adviser on the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum and International Investment, Dr. Said Alkali Kori; Special Adviser on Food Security, Dr. Muhammed Babagana; and other senior officials.
For the refugees at Kaya, however, the significance of the visit went beyond the official titles and high-level discussions.
After years of displacement and uncertainty, the arrival of a senior Nigerian government official at their doorstep carried an emotional message: they were still part of Nigeria’s concern.
Their response was clear — a promise to remain peaceful, work with their hosts and cooperate with authorities on the eventual return of those ready to go home.
In a region where conflict has uprooted communities and strained relations across borders, Buni’s visit offered a reminder that humanitarian support, security cooperation and economic empowerment must move together.
For the Nigerians in Kaya, it was also a long-awaited acknowledgment that, despite being beyond Nigeria’s borders, their welfare remains connected to the country they call home.
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