NIS begins repatriation of refugees

11.02.2008

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has started the repatriation of more than 600 Nigerien nationals who were displaced by the crisis in Chad.
The Comptroller of Immigration in Borno, Alhaji Sambo Gwandu, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday at the refugee camp in Gamboru Ngala in Borno.

Gwandu said that the refugees were handed over to him by the National Refugees Commission in the area for onward repatriation to their country.

NAN learnt that the Nigeriens had in the last few days been protesting their continued confinement at the refugee camp.

One of them, Malam Ibrahim Saleh, 45, told NAN in Hausa that they were given three meals daily since they arrived the Nigerian side last Sunday.

Ibrahim, who fled Chad, leaving behind three wives and children, however, said ``but this is not our major problem''.

He said that they wanted free movement, which, he added, could only be guaranteed by going back to Niger.

``We saw Nigeria only as an escape route, but not a concentration camp,'' he said. Ibrahim added that: ``I did not hear from my family since I narrowly escaped from Chad and I don't have money.

``By going home, I will be able to source for money and start looking for my family.'' NAN also reported that the Borno Government has provided four trucks to convey the refugees back home through the Nigeria-Niger border town of Damasak in Mobar Local Government Area of Borno.

Most of the refugees are women and children. Meanwhile, the departure of the Nigerien refugees has not only decongested the camp, but also made the place more peaceful for efficient management.

NAN recalled that the Nigeriens formed majority of refugees after the Nigerian returnees. The returnees were only screened by the immigration officials and allowed passage into the country.