Cameroonian refugees, most of whom are widows in Nigeria have raised worries over the treatment they get at a camp in Cross River State. They left their villages in the country’s North West and South West regions at the of Anglophone crisis between 2017 and 2018. The crisis is now in its fourth year.
A source at the Ogoja refugee camp tells Mimi Mefo Info, their primary worry is a drop in the stipends they receive.
“With no good reason, refugee monies have been deducted as of last year November month… 7200 Naira ($18,71) has now dropped to 4600 Naira ($11,95) and the last payment was done in the month of June,” he says.
Our source adds that “food from the warehouse has been moved to an unknown destination …”.
To make matters worse, he adds that refugees in the camp are being neglected. “… every job opportunity in the refugee settlement is being given to Nigerians first and when a Cameroonian gets it the wage is not the same…”.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR is yet to make any official comment over the incident, but the Aid Agency had in series of its previous outings underscored the growing need of the refugees.
Thousands of Cameroon refugees are in Nigeria due to the four-year-long Anglophone crisis. Government and separatist fighters are yet to come to terms over a peace deal despite the many calls for peace to prevail.
Mimi Mefo info
