Boko Haram: Nigerians flee to Cameroon
SOME Nigerians have fled to neighbouring Cameroon to escape the incessant deadly attacks in the North, particularly by Boko Haram.
Boko Haram has claimed to be fighting for an Islamic state in the North, but its demands have varied.
“Everybody is insecure in Nigeria. The fear is all-pervading,” a Christian priest told AFPon condition of anonymity in Fotokol, a Cameroonian border town where some Nigerians have taken shelter in the last few weeks.
Fotokol is located about 100km from Maiduguri.
The priest added, “Many Nigerians like myself have fled their villages. We feel secure in Cameroon.”
“That is why I am sheltered here.”
He has rented a house which is about 10 minutes by motorcycle to the nearest town in Nigeria, Gamboru Ngala, where he heads the local Catholic church.
It is difficult to gauge the exact number of Nigerians who have fled to Cameroon as they cross the border illegally, but there are easily dozens sheltered in Cameroon since the attacks in the North.
Mahamat Tujani, a Muslim trader from Maiduguri, fled to Kousseri near Fotokol.
He said, “I abandoned my business and my family to seek refuge at the home of my cousin. I escaped out of fear.
“But if the killings continue, I will bring over my family members here.”
Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the January 20 coordinated bombings and shootings in Kano that left at least 185 people dead.
“When you sense danger, you must escape,” the priest said.
“Even in the Gospel, the Lord says the moment you sense danger, you must escape. If you don’t it’s suicide.”
The priest said two Igbo men were killed in Mubi in Adamawa State about three weeks ago.
“When the other Igbo went to reclaim their bodies the Boko Haram struck and killed 29 others,” he said.
He urged both Christians and Muslims to “return to God.”
The priest said Muslims were also targeted by Boko Haram.
Between January 28 and 30, three people — including a Muslim — were killed in Gamboru Ngala, Nigerian and Cameroonian police and medical sources said.
The priest was watching an Africa Cup of Nations match on television at a bar, along with six other compatriots. In another room, eight other Nigerians sat, drinking.
