Nigerian returnees accuse Cameroonian police of theft

Nigerian returnees, who fled to Cameroon to seek safety as a result of the deadly activities of the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria’s North-East, have accused men of the Cameroonian police of theft.

Last week, the National Emergency Management Agency announced the return of 12,000 Nigerians from Cameroon, saying most of them were camped in Adamawa State.

The returnees, who were mainly from Borno State, had fled their homes as a result of attacks from the Boko Haram insurgents.

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It was gathered from some of the returnees that they were allegedly manhandled by police officers in Cameroon. He said their belongings and cash were forcefully taken by the armed men.

 

One of the returnees, who claimed to be the chairman of those that were camped at Mubi in Adamawa State, Mr. Mustapha Galanbari, stated that Nigerians who fled the troubled states to Cameroon were being hunted by police officers in the neighbouring country.

He said, “On my way to the market, I was arrested. My clothes and everything I have are with them in Cameroon. The clothe I’m wearing now is the only piece that I have. They arrested me and many Nigerians as well.

“On our way back from Cameroon, the Cameroonian police collected all our money. We don’t have money. Now, I’m a father with 12 people and I don’t have even N100 because they collected all my money. They collected all the money on most of us who made it to Nigeria.”

Asked why the Cameroonian officers collected their belongings and monies, Galanbari said,

“I don’t know. When they see you, they’ll ask you if you are from Nigeria. If you say yes, they will arrest you, take you to the police station, search you and remove all the money on you and put you in their cell.”

When Punch correspondent contacted the Cameroon High Commission in Abuja, a lady who simply gave her name as Esther said she was not authorised to speak on the matter.