NIS shelters 142 Cameroonian refugees in Akwa Ibom

The Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Akwa Ibom State, Livingstone Amadi, has revealed that 142 Cameroonians are taking refuge in three camps in the state.

Speaking in Uyo at the weekend, he said the refugees are in makeshift camps in the three local government councils of Oron, Eket and Mkpat Enin, while the state government has been assisting with relief materials.

“You know that border states like Cross River, Benue and Taraba are also affected by refugees fleeing the English-speaking areas of Cameroon into Nigeria,” he said.

Since mid-2017, the English-speaking regions of Cameroon have witnessed tensions over alleged discrimination against them by the majority French-speaking population, leading to thousands fleeing the country.

Amadi said that within the last three months of assuming duty, he has rebranded the state headquarters to make the work environment attractive to both staff and the public.

The NIS comptroller said he was impressed with the conduct of his officers and that they have exhibited the highest sense of decorum in border management.

He added there was no truth in the allegation that his men had been extorting money and brutalising travelers along Oron beach in the Oron Local Government Area of the state.