President Muhammadu Buhari says return of persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency to their home communities will begin in earnest next year.

 
Speaking at an audience with a delegation from the International Rescue Committee led by former British Foreign Minister, Mr. David Miliband at the presidential villa abuja, the President said his administration will do all within its powers to facilitate the quick return and resettlement of over two million internally displaced persons in their towns and villages.

 
He told the visiting envoy and his delegation that the Federal Government will welcome the support of the IRC and other local and international non-governmental organizations for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.

 
The President also said there was an urgent need  for support in the areas of agricultural inputs, health, nutrition, water and sanitation.

 
He urged the IRC and other international agencies to work with the Presidential Committee on the North-East and the National Emergency Management Agency to cater for the IDPs and restore some basic infrastructure in communities affected by terrorism and insurgency.

 
Mr. Miliband assured President Buhari that the IRC will intensify its ongoing work in Nigeria which has assisted over 350,000 displaced persons, mainly in Adamawa and Borno states.


Calling for increased security presence in the recovered towns and territories as most prospective returnees he said still feared for their safety on their return to their homes.