BY Taiwo George
More than 13,000 Nigerians from three northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yola fled to Cameroon as refugees after last month’s Boko Haram attack on Mubi.
According to the United Nation’s High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR), the continuous violence by the Boko Haram insurgents in the states has continued to send thousands of refugees across the borders into neighbouring Cameroon after the insurgents captured their towns.
It stated that the refugees fled to Guider and Gashinga in the northeastern region to Bourha, Mogode, and Boukoula, in the far northern region of Cameroon.
UNCHR said the escapees, mainly women and children, left the country in over 300 vehicles, including trucks and rented cars.
“Some 13,000 Nigerian refugees crossed from Adamawa state after insurgents attacked and captured the town of Mubi in late October,” UNHCR said in a press release from Geneva.
“The Cameroonian authorities reported that they facilitated onward transit movements and provided escorts to ensure the safety of those transiting through Cameroonian territory.”
It said its findings revealed that a good number of them had returned to the country.
“Cameroon local authorities said the vast majority of the people have returned to Nigeria … their final destination was Yola, capital of Adamawa state,” it said.
“We are also examining claims that some of these refugees may have been forced to return to Nigeria. We are seeking assurances from both Nigeria and Cameroon that the return of these people was done on a voluntary basis.
“Cameroon is hosting thousands of refugees from Nigeria and Central African Republic and we encourage Cameroon to continue with its policy of welcoming refugees.”
The body further said that investigations revealed that thousands of the refugees are now residing in resettlement camps in Girei, Gombe state and at the National Youth Service Centre in Yola.
An unspecified number of people have been rendered homeless as a result of the insurgency in the northeast.
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