Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
More than 2000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned to their ancestral home in Gudunbali, Borno State for the first time in six years, after the Nigerian Army flagged off Operation Last Hold in Northern Borno to flush out Boko Haram remnants.
The return of the IDPs followed the achievements recorded by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, after the Nigerian Army consolidated the operations with clearance operation which is Sharan Gwona da Sharan Gida and dominance patrols.
Texas Chukwu, a Brigadier General and Director Army Public Relations disclosed this in a statement adding that the returnee IDPs drawn from different IDP camps were assured of their safety and government’s assistance in rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.
He said the returnee IDPs were assisted back to their communities by the troops of Operation Last Hold, while the Eid prayers were observed at the Headquarters of Guzamalla Local Government Area.
Chukwu said that the IDPs were more than delighted to be back in their ancestral home, as well as the resuscitation of two boreholes by the Chairman of Guzamalla Local Government Area Council.
He stressed that building materials are already being stock piled for distribution, even as efforts are intensified to clear and open up more communities in the nine Local Government Area Councils of Northern Borno.
Earlier, Major General Abba Dikko, the Commander, Operation Last Hold, while welcoming the returnee IDPs stated that the Military would not rest on its oars until all displaced persons are safely returned to their ancestral homes.
The Commander emphasised that, all terrorists either surrender, deradicalized and reintegrate back to their communities or are vanquished and conquered.