Hundreds of residents of Kirawa in Borno State have fled their homes following a Boko Haram attack, taking refuge in neighbouring Cameroonian villages under harsh and unsafe conditions.
The displaced villagers said they now spend their days in Nigeria but return to Cameroon at night to avoid possible renewed assaults after troops reportedly withdrew from the community on Saturday.
According to PUNCH many are sleeping in the open, on roads, in mosques and classrooms.
The District Head of Kirawa, Abdulrahman Abubakar, confirmed the situation, calling for urgent government intervention.
“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 in Nigeria. This is the first time we are experiencing such an attack since our community was resettled some years ago,” he said.
One displaced resident, Buba Aji, described the situation in Cameroon as distressing.
“At night, the experiences are usually inhumane. For instance, on Monday night, there was heavy rainfall and many of our residents slept under it.
“Some had to take refuge in a mosque, on the roads, and in classrooms because we fear the insurgents will return. We are currently in Kerawa, Cameroon Lamise, the streets immediately after crossing the Cameroon border,” he said.
He urged the government to deploy troops back to the area.
“As I told you, no Nigerian soldier is in our community currently. The JTF, who are Cameroonian 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 currently facing this,” he added.
Another resident, Atahiru Lawan, estimated that the majority of the population had crossed the border.
“Eighty 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,” he said.
Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security Matters, Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), assured that the state government was already working on the matter.
“You know our governor, the moment something happens, he will take action. So, just have it in mind that the governor will take action and he is on it,” he said.
However, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, said the attack targeted Cameroonian forces.
“It is the Cameroonian base in Kirawa that was attacked, not Nigerian troops,” he said.
But the Chairman of the Kirawa Development Association, Yakubu Mabba, disagreed, insisting there are no Nigerian soldiers stationed in the community.
“I saw the story this morning as the commander said it is the Cameroon base that was attacked. Let me tell you, as we speak today, there are no Nigerian soldiers in Kirawa.
“However, if anyone wants to confirm that people were not displaced or kidnapped, they can come to Kirawa and meet our people to see and hear for themselves. In fact, if you come, you will also confirm that we had no Nigerian troops protecting us,” he said.