Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has announced plans to close the Muna Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri within the next few weeks. This decision aligns with the administration’s efforts to close all formal IDP camps within Maiduguri and its environs. The Muna camp, established nearly 10 years ago during the height of the humanitarian crisis, currently hosts approximately 10,000 displaced persons. Governor Zulum made the announcement during an early morning visit to the camp on Monday, promising support to improve the residents' means of livelihood as they prepare to return to their communities.

The governor noted that about 75 percent of the IDP residents had already been resettled to areas where the security situation has improved, specifically in six local government areas: Bama, Gwoza, Jere, Konduga, Kukawa, and Ngala. However, IDPs from Mafa and Dikwa local government areas, where security challenges persist, remain in the camp. Recently, these IDPs appealed through the media for the governor to consider returning them to their ancestral homes if the locations are certified safe.

Governor Zulum also disclosed that 6,000 families displaced by insurgency in Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas have been resettled. This resettlement exercise is partly due to increased illicit activities within the camp, including incidents of prostitution, gangsterism, child abuse, and other crimes that undermine efforts to restore normalcy. The governor emphasized that eradicating Boko Haram requires resettlement, allowing people to return to their homes and livelihoods.

Each of the 6,000 resettled families will receive food items, shelter materials, and access to healthcare services. Additionally, each male and female head of households will receive N100,000, while housewives will be given N50,000. During his first term, Governor Zulum pledged to close all IDP camps in the state capital, a goal he has largely achieved by shutting down more than twelve camps.

The closure of the Muna camp marks a significant step in the state’s transition from emergency humanitarian response to long-term recovery and resettlement. The governor reiterated his commitment to supporting the remaining 25 percent of IDPs as they return to their ancestral homes, ensuring they have the means to rebuild their lives.