The Closure Of Cameroon Border Left Nigerians and Other Foreigners Stranded

No fewer than 75 migrants are currently stranded in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State following the closure of the Nigeria-Cameroon land border in Mfum by the Cameroonian authorities, The Nation gathered Thursday.

Also on the Cameroon axis, the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) said 20 Nigerians were also stranded as a result of the development.

The closure of the border by the Cameroonian authorities since September 28 is in connection with political unrest due to secessionist calls for an independent country of Ambazonia by Southern Cameroon.

Assistant Comptroller of Immigration at the Mfum border, Mr. Lawrence Asuquo, said the 75 stranded migrants were of different nationalities, while the 20 Nigerians are stranded at the Ekokin end of Cameroon.

The Closure Of Cameroon Border Left Nigerians and Other Foreigners Stranded

Asuquo, who spoke on behalf of the Cross River State Comptroller of NIS, Mrs. Funke Adeuyi when he received officials of the National Commission of Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons at the Mfum, said the border was closed as a result of the quest for an independent state of Amazonia by Southern Cameroon.
He said at first the border on the Cameroonian side was to be closed for 72 hours as emergency measure, but had remained closed since September 28.

Asuquo assured of cordial working relationship between the security officials of both countries, adding that they had remained in touch and awaited further directive on the reopening of the border.

He expressed concern over the plight of the stranded migrants at the border.

Head of a delegation from the National Commission of Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mr. Titus Murdakai, disclosed that the commission was already going round to verify stranded migrants who desired asylum in Nigeria. The Closure Of Cameroon Border Left Nigerians and Other Foreigners Stranded