National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
Tayo Olanipekun
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has said Cameroon breached international and regional agreements by denying refuge to over 9,000 Nigerians who fled the violence in Borno State to the country last week, maintaining it cannot send back the refuge seekers.
NRC, in a statement made available to Nationalwire on Monday night, said the authorities of the two countries are obligated to provide immediate assistance to the refuge seeking Nigerians.
“The Norwegian Refugee Council calls for Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities to provide immediate assistance to thousands of Nigerian civilians fleeing violence,” the statement said.
An organ of the United Nations, UNHCR, reported recently that more than 9000 Nigerians crossed to Cameroon where they were denied refuge.
The people were fleeing their communities following a deadly attack against the town of Rann, Borno State, in northeast Nigeria.
“The forced return of civilians to areas of violence is a breach of international and regional agreements, such as the Tripartite Agreement, that guarantee the protection and human rights of forcibly displaced persons,” noted the NRC.
It, therefore, urged the authorities on both sides of the border to provide necessary assistance and safety for the displaced people and allow aid workers to assist.
It also expressed a deep concern over the recent violence, lamenting that there is currently no aid organisation left in Rann to make an accurate assessment of the humanitarian needs and of the number of people remaining in the town.
In a renewed onslaught against the government troop to reclaimed territories, the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents have attacked communities and military formations in the southeastern part of the country, making thousands to flee their homesteads.
Following the attack on January 14, an estimated 76,000 displaced persons camped in Rann reportedly face starvation as agencies of the United Nations working there halted their operations due to insecurity.
