Deportation of Nigerians: Nigeria, Red Cross fume at Cameroon

Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency and Red Cross officials have dragged Cameroon authorities to the United Nation High Commission on Refugees over the country’s alleged dehumanization and unlawful repatriation of 2,600 Nigerians.

An official of NEMA, Sa’ad Bello, said this while fielding questions from journalists, and added that the manner Internally Displaced Persons from Nigeria were threatened and deported by Cameroonian authorities was unacceptable.

“It’s so disturbing that what Cameroon authorities did to Nigerian refugees was totally against norms and violation of the International Refugees Rights.

“We only received a call from the men of Nigerian Immigration who were patrolling along Nigeria- Cameroon border.

“They called our attention that there were trucks fully loaded with Nigerians who after investigation are refugees, internally displaced by Boko Haram and repatriated by Cameroon gendarmes,” Mr. Bello said.

He blamed the Cameroon government for not informing the Nigerian authority of the development to enable it prepare well and receive its citizens.

He explained that the IDPs, after thorough investigation were Nigerians from Bama and Gamboru Ngala in Borno state, who escaped from Boko Haram attacks.

He said the agency has formally forwarded its complaint to the country representative of United Nations High Commission on Refugees to look into the situation.

Mr. Bello further explained that the IDPs were dumped by Cameroon at Sahuda village in Mubi South Local Government Area, a border town along Nigeria-Cameroon border.

According to the Coordinator, the victims included men, women, children, pregnant and nursing mothers.

“Their situation is pathetic and they were traumatized,” he said.

He said the agency, with the assistance of the Nigeria's Emergency Management Agency, are doing everything possible to convey the IDPs to Yola camps.

Also corroborating, Aliyu Maikano, the representative of Nigeria Red Cross on IDPs in Adamawa, confirmed that the organization heard about the situation.

“We have sent a rescue and first aid teams to assist the IDPs who were dumped by Cameroonian security at the Nigerian border.

“The society is liaising with NEMA on how to evacuate the IDPs,” Mr. Maikano said.