Boko Haram: Buhari says Cameroon houses 56,000 Nigerian refugees

Following the activities of the Boko Haram sect in the North Eastern part of the Nigeria, Cameroon now houses 56,000 Nigerian refugees, President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed Tuesday night.

Buhari who spoke at a state banquet in honour of visiting President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, and his wife, Chantal, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said it was disheartening that terror unleashed by the sect had claimed over 20,000 lives.

He said his administration was working day and night to rebuild the North Eastern part of the country so that the Nigerian refugees could return home.

“I assure you that as soon as data on IDPs are ready, we will bring you back home safely,” the President said.

Listing some of the achievements of the nation’s security forces against the sect, Buhari said there was no longer a hiding place for terrorists in Nigeria.

Describing Cameroon and Nigeria as two nations that have come a long way, the President commended the crucial role Cameroon is playing in the multinational force fighting insurgents.

Biya, who spoke through an interpreter, described Boko Haram as a common enemy of the two nations, fighting against the goals of the people.

The Cameroonian President commended the Nigerian security agencies for the success recorded against the Boko Haram and expressed conviction that the sect no longer has destructive powers. He also promised to continue taking care of the Nigerian refugees residing in Cameroon.

He also stressed on the need for more consultations to improve the economic relations between the two countries.

“We are at the beginning of a new era in the relationship between our countries as evidenced in our discussions today and the agreements we signed today. I am delighted,” he said.
The state banquet was attended by wife of the President, Aisha; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo; the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and his wife; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Muhammed; governors of Taraba, Cross River and Adamawa States, ministers and other top government officials.

 

Elizabeth Archibong