We now spend day in Nigeria, night in Cameroon – B’Haram victims

Thousands of Kirawa residents in Borno State displaced by Boko Haram insurgents, who are now taking refuge in Cameroon villages, have lamented the harsh conditions, saying they now spend the day in Nigeria and return to sleep in Cameroon at night.

The residents who spoke with PUNCH Online on Tuesday disclosed that since the Saturday attack which led to the withdrawal of troops from the community, many residents have spread across the Cameroon border villages, sleeping on roads, mosques and school classes due to fear of midnight attacks.

The district head of Kirawa, Abdulrahman Abubakar, who confirmed the development, called for immediate government action in resettling the community and ensuring peace in the area.

“We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed as our people now juggle between two countries, sleeping in Cameroon at night and returning to spend the day.

“This is the first time we are experiencing this attack since our community was resettled some years ago,” Abubakar said.

One of the displaced residents, Buba Aji, who narrated the experiences of Nigerians in Cameroon villages, described it as disturbing and inhumane.

“In the night, the experiences are usually inhumane. For instance, yesterday (Monday) night, there was a heavy rainfall, in which many of our residents slept.

“Some of us also had to take refuge in mosques, roads and classrooms because we are scared that the insurgents will return at night.

“The current location is Kerawa, Cameroon, Lamise, and in the streets immediately after you passed the Cameroon border”, he sai

He also called for the immediate deployment of troops to the community to restore peace and order.

“As I tell you, no Nigerian soldier is in our community currently, the JTF, who are Cameroon forces, have returned to their country.

“We need the government to hear our plea and come to our rescue before these people (insurgents) return for another attack.

“We are not in hundreds but thousands that are currently facing this,” he said

Similarly, another resident, Atahiru Lawan, disclosed that 90 per cent of their residents are currently in Cameroon.

“80 to 90 percent of our people, including children, have run to Cameroon.

“Our people are lying on the streets of Kerawa, Cameroon, no accommodation, no aid, no assistance. Please, we are pleading with the government to come to our rescue,” Lawan said.

Kirawa, a community under the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, was attacked by suspected insurgents, killing scores of soldiers and taking away a school girl.