UN warns against illegal deportation of Nigerian refugees

The United Nations refugee agency is warning
countries against forcibly returning people to
northeastern Nigeria, where the escalating
violence could put their lives at risk. The
UNHCR reports some 10,000 Nigerians have
fled into neighboring Cameroon, Chad and
Niger in recent months.
The U.N. refugee agency says more than 8,000
of the Nigerians who have fled the escalating
violence in their country have sought refuge in
Cameroon.
Spokesman Dan McNorton said the UNHCR is
alarmed at reports that local officials
attempted to forcibly return 111 people from
Cameroon to Nigeria on October 5.
"They were expelled from a village in the Far
North region of Cameroon, to Adamawa state
in Nigeria. During this incident, 15 people
were killed and another seven wounded," said
McNorton. "The remaining 89 individuals
immediately fled back to Cameroon and were
detained. UNHCR is working closely with the
government of Cameroon to assess whether
there are people in this group in need of
international protection."
Five months ago, Nigerian President Goodluck
Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the
states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe after a
surge of deadly attacks blamed on the Islamist
radical group Boko Haram. The president
dispatched more troops to the area, but the
militants remain active and violence continues.
The UNHCR says the violence is estimated to
have displaced about 5,000 people within the
northeastern region of Nigeria, but the number
actually could be significantly higher.
Spokesman McNorton said it is difficult to
know the extent of displacement because the
present dangers prevent his and other
humanitarian agencies from accessing that
area.
"It is very, very difficult in that part of Nigeria
and we are trying to do what we can to see
what access we can. But, obviously, the safety
of our staff and others who we work with is of
paramount concern," he said. "I think there
are a number of factors, which, of course are
interlinked in this region. We, and today with
this return advisory, are underlying the
importance of bordering countries, but also all
states to ensure that their borders are kept
open, and those fleeing conflict are given the
safety and security that they need."