Nigerian Refugees In Chad, Cameroon, Niger Hit 339,669

Nigerian Refugees In Chad, Cameroon, Niger Hit 339,669

According to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the number of Nigerian refugees in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger Republic has risen to 339,669 as a result of insecurity in various parts of the country.

The figure represented a 17,000 increase from the 322,000 disclosed by Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, in September 2021.

The displaced people were victims of terrorism in the North-East and banditry-turned-terrorism in the North-West, as well as murders and kidnappings throughout the country.

According to the minister, the breakdown “consists of 16,634 in Chad; 118,409 in Cameroon, and 186,957 in Niger Republic” in 2021.

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However, according to UNHCR data on ‘Nigerian refugees by country asylum,’ as of November 30, 2022, the number of Nigerians seeking asylum in Niger Republic had risen to 187,130; 132,151 in Cameroon; and 20,388 in Chad.

According to a website chart, there were only 3,069 refugees in the three countries as of April 23, 2014. However, in December 2014, the figure was 37,388; in January 2015, it was 41,478; in January 2016, it was 82,064; in January 2017, it was 200,380; in January 2018, it was 205,620; and in January 2019, it was 272,077.

By January 2020, the number of refugees had risen to 279,408; 305,656 in January 2021, 328,005 in January 2022, and 339,669 on November 30, 2022.

Meanwhile, despite the Vice-promise President’s in March that the safe return of Nigerians displaced by the insurgency in the North-East from Cameroon, Niger, and Chad would be treated as an emergency, the number of Nigerians seeking asylum in the three countries has increased.

He spoke at the conclusion of the first meeting of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Returns, and Resettlement of Displaced Persons, which was inaugurated in February by President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in Abuja.

“We should immediately do whatever it takes to commence the process of repatriating our people back home. Already there are several initiatives,” Osinbajo said.

In the committee chaired by the vice-president, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State is the vice chairman, with some ministers, the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and others as members.

Earlier in October 2021, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, which is also represented in the committee, the government had begun work on repatriating the Nigerian refugees back home.

The acting Deputy Director, Refugees and Migrants Department, Murdakai Titus, said tripartite agreements for the repatriation exercise were being signed by the affected parties.

He added, “We have written to the authorities of Niger Republic that we want to bring back our people. Secondly, the Borno State governor, who is partly the host of these refugees, has taken it upon himself to visit Niger Republic. He met with the authorities there and expressed willingness to receive his people. At the same time, the Government of Niger is willing that we should come in and that the international community should come in to facilitate the return of the people.”