ABUJA- The United Nation’s High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR) has said that 13,000 Nigerians from the three North Eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yola, fled to Cameroon as refugees after the recent Mubi attack.
This is contained in a statement issued by the commission’s representation for West Africa in Dakar, Senegal, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, 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 North Eastern Region and to Bourha, Mogode, and Boukoula, in the far northern region of Cameroon.13,000 nigerian flee
Cameroon local authorities, however, said that majority of these refugees had returned to Yola, the Adamawa capital, about 200 kms to Mubi.
“In the days immediately after the attack on Mubi, it was reported that refugees from Nigeria arrived in over 300 vehicles, including personal vehicles, rented cars and trucks.
“Cameroonian authorities also reported that they facilitated onward transit movements and provided escorts to ensure the safety of those transiting through Cameroonian territory’’, the statement quoted.
In Nigeria, the UNHR team confirmed that thousands of Nigerians were now being hosted at Girei (Gombe State) and the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) camp in Yola.
It added that the camp was one of the five sites for hosting Internally displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
The statement stated that the new IDPs were already receiving assistance from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the International Red Cross Society, and the International Rescue committee.
It said said the UNHCR gathered that majority of them were women and children.
According to the Commission, they have been examining claims that some of them might have been forced to returning back to Nigeria.
“We are seeking assurances from both Cameroon and Nigeria that the return of these people was done on a voluntary basis.
“Cameroon is presently hosting thousands of refugees from Nigeria and Central African Republic. We encourage that Cameroon continues with its policy of welcoming refugees,’’ it added.
The statement said that before the latest Mubi attack, Cameroonian authorities had confirmed that over 43,000 Nigerians had sought refuge in Cameroon.
It stated that 17,000 refugees were currently living in Minawao refugee camp, managed by the UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies.
At least 1,000 Nigerians recently arrived in the Bosso Area, South of Niger Republic, and living as refugees, the statement said.
The commission also said that over 650,000 persons were internally displaced as a result of the insurgent attacks in the North East states.
The UNHCR has however, urged states to keep their borders open for Nigerians fleeing the country and who may be in need of international protection.
It added that its advisory seeks to ensure that humanitarian and asylum principles were upheld in the light of the ongoing insecure situation in North-east Nigeria. (NAN)
13,000 Nigerians flee to Cameroon after Mubi attack – UNHCR
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