Ernest Chinwo
5 March 2008
Calabar — More than 5,000 Cameroonian refugees have arrived Amana, in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State, following inter-communal war in their country.
The refugees, mainly from the Oyive and Oliti areas of Akwaya, in the Republic of Cameroon, started flooding Nigeria early last week. Their Spokesman, Chief Okachiek Peter, said the crisis has claimed several lives.
Worried by the rate of influx, Chairman of the Council, Dr Godwin Amanke, called on the state government to assist it to curtail the situation through regular border patrols and security checks. Amanke said facilities in Amana have been overstretched, because as many as 1,057 refugees sometimes get to the community in a day. He expressed fears that more refugees may run to the border community and called for relief materials, including food, medicine, clothing and accommodation for the refugees. Meanwhile, Cross River State government has delivered relief materials valued at N1.3 million to the refugees. Addressing the refugees, Special Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke on Special Duties, Mr Casmir Obock, said the items were part of efforts of the state government to cushion the effects of their trauma.
He, however, warned that government would not tolerate any act capable of causing confusion or creating problems between them and the host community. Items delivered include rice, garri, rubber mats, blankets, towels, plastic bucket, cups, plates, spoons among others.
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