SEVEN years after the alleged displacement of over 200,000 Bassa indigenes by the Egbura ethnic group in the Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, the natives are set to return to their ancestral homes on February 10.
The development followed several peace meetings organised by the state government and heads of security agencies in the state.
The acting chairman of Bassa Youth for Peace Coalition Forum, Joshua Gomina, disclosed this on Monday while speaking with journalists.
He said his kinsmen had been displaced since April 22, 2018, when a communal clash ensued with the Egburas.
Gomina commended the state government, security operatives and the local government for their efforts in ensuring that the disputes were resolved.
“We are pleased to formally announce that Monday, February 10, 2025, has been scheduled for the return of the displaced Bassa communities in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
“Since 2018, the Bassa people have been facing a series of challenges as a result of the communal clashes that happened with the Egbura ethnic group.
“The number of the Bassa people that were displaced in the communities around the area are over 200,000 and we are hoping that a considerable number of the displaced persons will return to their ancestral homes next week Monday, February 10, 2025,” he said.
Gomina further said Governor Abdullahi Sule had permitted the Commanding Officer 177 Guard Battalion, Keffi and the Chairman of Toto Local Government Area, Ahmad Yahaya, to oversee the safe return of the displaced Bassa people to their ancestral lands.
He noted that for the returnees coming from Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna and Lokoja axis, the meeting point would be at Kekeshi Village, at Abaji Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Returnees from the Benue, Plateau, and Lafia axis would meet at Gunki village of Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State.
“In light of this development, we call on all displaced individuals and families of the Bassa ethnic group from Toto Local Government Area who are currently spread across the nation to prepare for their return home.
“We also extend an invitation to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons; the United Nations Refugee Agency; the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development; National Emergency Management Agency; non-governmental organisations; among others, to support the Bassa returnees with any assistance they can offer,” he said.