The Borno State Police Command has arrested several Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who staged a protest on Sunday in which they asked the Federal authorities to allow them return to their ancestral homes. The IDPs fled their towns and villages more than three years ago following attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

Sunday’s protest, which was co-ordinated by the Alhaji Muhammad Hassan – led Bama Initiative for Human Development saw some displaced persons blocking the Bama/Maiduguri Highway close to the University of Maiduguri Gate II to push forward their resolve to return to Bama from where they were displaced.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Damian Chukwu said the decision to dock some of the protesters, including Alhaji Hassan was taken because the group had not notified the command over their planned return to Bama before embarking on the protest.

Amidst the growing apprehension and anxiety in the state over the possibility of more protests from the IDPs, the Borno State Government has, in the spirit of  reconciliation, called on all aggrieved IDPs to be patient as the government needed more time to put measures in place to facilitate their safe return.