Violence in Northeast region of Nigeria has prompted the UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR) to warn states against forcibly returning migrants.
In recent months, approximately 10,000 Nigerians have crossed into neighbouring countries, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, with an estimated 5000 additional people being internally displaced. UNHCR is urging for borders to be kept open for Nigerians who are fleeing and who may be in need of international protection.
Conflict between the Nigerian army and insurgents in Nigeria’s north-eastern states has led to deterioration of security and humanitarian conditions in the region, which has been under a state of emergency since May.
Earlier this month, UNHCR has had reports of the attempted forced return of 111 people from Cameroon to Nigeria in which 15 people were killed and another seven wounded. The remaining 89 individuals immediately fled back to Cameroon and were detained.
This article originally appeared in the ECRE Weekly Bulletin of 31 October 2013
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