In his update on the situation of refugees in Nigeria Cameroon, UNHCR notes that following the violence orchestrated by soldiers on civilians, many people continue to flee to Nigeria in search of international protection. The report, published on January 24, 2018, indicates that the populations have deserted several villages in the Southwest region to take refuge in Cross River State in Nigeria.
"Those who come just Akwaya, Otu, Eyumojock, nsan, Dadi and Bodam in the Anglophone region of southwestern Cameroon ," said the report, adding that refugees are afraid of being persecuted by security forces deployed in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
UNHCR notes that at the date of 24 January 2018, his service with the National Committee for Refugees, Migrants and Displaced Persons, recorded 11 651 Cameroonian refugees in the states of Cross River Benue and Taraba.
To ensure proper management of the influx in accordance with international humanitarian principles, UNHCR reports that it continues its advocacy with the Nigerian authorities in order to protect the rights of people fleeing the crisis and to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance in dignity.
"UNHCR has negotiated the release of some asylum seekers arrested by the Nigerian authorities. For others still in detention,the Government has agreed to grant UNHCR access to determine their status. The Government also reassured UNHCR that the detainees would not be returned to Cameroon, "informs the UN body.
UNHCR plans to open a permanent office in Calabar where the refugees are to take care of them. He would also like to remove these refugees from Cameroonian borders according to international conventions.
Source: CIN