Ernest Chinwo
9 November 2009
Calabar — National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has assured Nigerian returnees from the ceded Bakassi Peninsula of the Federal Government's concern about their predicament.
About 400 Nigerians have fled the ceded Bakassi Peninsula back to the country with tales of woe and agony as a result of inhuman treatment meted out to them by the Cameroonian Gendarmes.
The State South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Umesi Emenike, while interacting with the returnees in Ikang, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State described the plight of the returnees as pathetic.
He maintained that the circumstances that led to their leaving the peninsula in a hurry were being addressed by the Federal Government, adding that the agency would make necessary arrangements to make the returnees more comfortable.
Emenike, who was accompanied by the Director, River State Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Soe Nwokocha commended the Cross River State SEMA for living up to expectation by providing succor for the displaced people.
He described the humanitarian outfit of the state as very reliable and committed to its mandate as demonstrated in the care so far given to the returnees.
Emenike who also visited the camp preparation site commended the State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, whom he noted had provided the enablement for the progress of work.
Earlier, the Director General, SEMA, Mr. Vincent Aquah, reassured the victims of government's total commitment to bringing normalcy to their lives.
Aquah who was represented by the Assistat Director (Information) in the Agency, Mr. David Akate, said the state government was frantic about bringing sustainable smiles on faces of the returnees.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Mr. Innocent Bassey, said they are disillusioned following the experience of being chased like animals in the creeks by the Cameroonian gendarmes for no just cause.
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