Following the continuous killings by members of Boko Haram sect in the Northern parts of Nigeria and the military offensive to stem the onslaught, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has appealed to all nations to open their borders for Nigerians who may be in need of international protection.
Spokesperson of the agency, Dan McNorton, in a statement made available to journalists in New York yesterday, specifically urged nations to open their doors for fleeing Nigerians and also provide necessary shelter for them.
The statement reads, “Our recommendations are contained in a newly issued Return Advisory, which seeks to ensure that humanitarian and asylum principles are upheld in light of the worsening security situation in north-eastern Nigeria.
“The continuous conflict between the Nigerian Army and insurgents in the north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe has led to deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in the region, which has been under a state of emergency since May.”
The agency noted that some 10,000 Nigerians had crossed into neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger in recent months due to the crisis, out of which 8,100 had sought refuge in Cameroon.
UNHCR said, “We are working with the Government of Cameroon to assess whether there are people in the group in need of international protection or not.”
It added that it would not relent in its appeals until the security and human rights situation in north-eastern Nigeria has improved sufficiently to permit a safe and dignified return.
Source: Daily Newswatch
