Nigeria begins fumigation of northeast Bama town

The Nigerian government on Saturday began clearing and fumigation of northeast Bama town in Borno State, recently liberated by the military to prepare ground for the return of the people.

The operation was to ensure the early return of the people back home, said Nasiru Surundi, Sole Administrator of the Borno Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA).

Bama is the second largest town in Borno after Maiduguri, the state capital.

"We are here with 1,000 personnel to clear the entire town of refuse and other rubbish ahead of the peoples' return," he told reporters.

He said the agency had earlier deployed 40 environment staff to commence the cleaning before the eventual launching.

Surundi said BOSEPA was also spraying another sets of chemicals that would prevent disease outbreaks after the return of the people.

Bama, one of the worst hit towns by the Boko Haram insurgency was liberated in 2015 by the military after been occupied for several months by the insurgents.

Nigerian troops have routed terrorists from different towns and communities in northeast Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in recent times.

With the massive military operations, the troops have also recovered several sophisticated weapons from the terrorists. Endit