A total of one thousand three hundred and two persons who were taking refuge in Cameroon after fleeing conflicts in Nigeria have been voluntarily repatriated. This is the latest lap of voluntary return of Nigerian refugees who have stayed in Cameroon for ten years, hosted at Minawao Camp in the country’s Far-North Region.
Eight hundred and forty seven refugees got back to Nigeria on January 24th while four hundred and fifty five returned on January 20.
A joint commission with officials from Cameroon, Nigeria and the UN Refugee Agency facilitated the movement of the refugees back to their country. Before their departure, a farewell ceremony was organised at the esplanade of the office of the Far North Governor. Present were the governor of the Far North Region -Midjiyawa Bakary, the team leader of voluntary repatriation Lawan Abba Wakilbe, the project staff Bettina Gambert and the deputy representative of United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
The refugees left with gifts which they received from the Cameroon presidential couple Paul and Chantal Biya. The gifts comprised of foodstuffs, bedding materials and hygiene kits.
They left with tears of joy; it was the joy of going back home and the joy of hospitality encountered in Cameroon.
They were transported by a convoy of ten buses under the escort of security officials. While journeying back, they were welcomed in Banki by the Nigerian Minister for Humanitarian Affairs.
The voluntary repatriation process is in line with the tripartite agreement signed between UNHCR, Cameroon and Nigeria.
The team leader of the repatriation project expressed gratitude to Cameroon for the collaboration that ensured the voluntarily return “We say
thank you to the Cameroonian people
for their legendary hospitality.
We also thank the Cameroonian government and its president, His Excellency Paul Biya, for the multifaceted support provided to our fellow citizens during their stay in Cameroon”.
More refugees applying for voluntary repatriation are expected to return home in the coming days.
By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
Howdy
Millions of people are educated, informed and liberated through news.
We rely solely on goodwill donation.
Support Cameroon Infotrend to go wider. Your minimum contribution matters a lot.
Tell: +237651041509