Akwaya Subdivision: Nigerian gov’t offers relief items to over 6,000 country’s refugees.

The support was offered by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It was offered through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigerian Consul General to the North West and South West Regions.

The three trailers worth of relief material support included food items like; 2,000 bags of rice, 1,000 bags of sugar, 1,000 bags of beans, 1,000 cartons of powdered milk, 1,000 cartons of milo, 1,000 bags of salt and 1,000 bags of noddles. 

Non-food items included; 1,000 pieces of women’s clothing, 2,000 pieces of children’s clothing, 1,000 pieces of men’s clothing, 3,000 pieces of nylon mats, 3,000 pieces of plastic cups, 3,000 pieces of plastic spoons, 3,000 pieces of plastic plates, 1,000 buckets and 3,000 mosquito nets. 

The refugees also received packages of first aid and basic medications.

The items were distributed to the beneficiaries from 15 to 17 May 2023, while the medication was taken to medical centres for use by both the refugees and those of their host communities. 

The distribution took place in the presence of the representatives of the Consulate, refugees and host communities.

Speaking to the press during a press conference in Buea, Nigerian Consul General for the North West and South West Regions, H.E Bappah Lawal, said the relief materials will help make his compatriots fleeing from conflict stay more comfortable. 

“We hope these relief materials will make their stay much more comfortable as we pray for normalcy to return to the area so that they can go back to their respective communities. I urge them to continue living peacefully and respecting local laws without meddling in local affairs,” the diplomat said.

He expressed the wish for the speedy resolution of the conflict so that the refugees can safely return home. 

“Our hope and expectation is that the refugees will return to Nigeria soon when the issues are resolved,” he added.

On his part, Chief Upkam Linus Agwa of Bakinjaw, expressed satisfaction with the support offered the refugees.

“I want to doff my hat to the Consul General for his demonstration of human feelings and love for his people. It has not been easy to host a community that overwhelms my community because the population of Bakinjaw is not up to 6,000, but we have been hosting over 7,000 others,” the traditional ruler said.

He described the Nigerians as his brothers with the same culture and traditions. 

“We speak the same language, intermarry with the Tiv, so the only thing separating us is a river, which once you cross from either direction, you are either in Cameroon or Nigeria,” he explained.

The mass influx of Nigerians into Cameroon is orchestrated by inter-tribal conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers from Kwande Local Government in Benue State, Nigeria.

They fled into Bakinjaw, Messanga Ekol in Akwaya Subdivision. The Nigerian refugees included elderly men and women (some pregnant) and children.

They were received by community leaders with most of them sleeping in village halls, churches and market places while others were accommodated by their relatives within the communities. 

With proper coordination between local Nigerian leaders in the area, local administration, the Nigerian Consul General in Buea and the NEMA, the refugees have reasons to smile.