From Idongesit Inyang
CALABAR
The recent invasion of a Cameroonian community near Bashu, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, by Ambazonian fighters from that country, has claimed an undisclosed number of people, while about 250 have been injured.
Over 500 of the fleeing Cameroonian refugees have crossed the border into Cross River as a result of this attack, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmedMonday.
The director-general of SEMA, Mr Princewill Ayim, told journalists in Calabar that the migration was caused by the invasion by Ambazonian fighters.
According to him, “We got the information yesterday that Ambazonian fighters invaded a community in Cameroon,which shares border with Bashu community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River.
“We learnt that while some people were shot dead in the Cameroonian community, about 250 were injured and more than 500 have fled into Bashu for protection,” Ayim further added.
The director general added, “We have constituted a multifunctional team of officials from SEMA, United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
“Others include National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced (NCFRMID) and Caritas Foundation to assess the situation after which we can determine the exact number of people that have fled into Nigeria,” he said.
Ayim emphasised that contrary to some reports, nobody has been reportedly shot or dead in Bashu community of Cross River.
He said SEMA became very concerned in the matter because of the number of the fleeing refugees into Nigeria and the overstretched resources.
While calling on relevant agencies to assist the refugees and their host, he appealed to Bashu community for the sake of humanity, to play brotherly role and assist the Cameroonians.
Midweek Pioneer gathered that the Ambazonian crisis in the English Speaking Southern Cameroon commenced in 2017 and has led to a huge number of refugees into Nigeria, many of whom are in different refugee camps.
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