The Cameroonian government has repatriated about 887 Nigerian refugees who escaped to the country due to the activities of Boko Haram. The External Relation Officer of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR), Hanson Tamfu made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
He blamed the repatriation on apprehension by Cameroonian authorities that some elements of Boko Haram sect may have infiltrated the refugees and could be establishing cells in the country preparatory for attacks.
According to him “The returnees arrived in six trucks sent by Nigerian authorities following the meeting with the governor of the far north region of Cameroon on June 19. During the meeting, Nigeria was requested to cause the return of refugees, which the Cameroonian authority suspects may also compromise some elements of Boko Haram whose activities have increased tremendously in recent times. Consequently, the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on June 26 dispatched the buses to transport the refugees,’’ he added.
He disclosed that the returnees comprise of 233 females, 187 males, 236 girls, and 231 boys who were living in host communities in Kolofata. They have been reportedly handed over to the Borno state government.
