Thousands of Kirawa residents in Borno State, displaced by Boko Haram insurgents and now seeking refuge in neighbouring Cameroonian villages, have expressed distress over the harsh living conditions they face. They revealed that they spend the day in Nigeria but cross into Cameroon at night to sleep for fear of attacks.
Speaking to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, residents said that since Saturday’s attack, which prompted the withdrawal of troops from the area, many have been scattered across villages across the Cameroon border, sleeping in mosques, classrooms, and on roads.
The district head of Kirawa, Abdulrahman Abubakar, confirmed the situation and urged the government to act swiftly to restore peace and resettle the community.
“We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed as our people now juggle between two countries, sleeping in Cameroon at night and returning to spend the day.
“This is the first time we are experiencing this attack since our community was resettled some years ago,” Abubakar said.
One of the displaced residents, Buba Aji, described the experiences of Nigerians in the Cameroonian villages as disturbing and dehumanising.
“In the night, the experiences are usually inhumane. For instance, yesterday (Monday) night, there was a heavy rainfall, in which many of our residents slept.
“Some of us also had to take refuge in mosques, roads and classrooms because we are scared that the insurgents will return at night.
“The current location is Kerawa, Cameroon, Lamise, and in the streets immediately after you passed the Cameroon border,” he said.
He further appealed for the urgent deployment of troops to restore security in the area.
“As I tell you, no Nigerian soldier is in our community currently, the JTF, who are Cameroon forces, have returned to their country.
“We need the government to hear our plea and come to our rescue before these people (insurgents) return for another attack.
“We are not in hundreds but thousands that are currently facing this,” he said.
Similarly, another resident, Atahiru Lawan, estimated that the majority of the population had fled across the border.
“80 to 90 percent of our people, including children, have run to Cameroon.
“Our people are lying on the streets of Kerawa, Cameroon, no accommodation, no aid, no assistance. Please, we are pleading with the government to come to our rescue,” Lawan said.
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