Cameroon refugees 'treble UN estimate'
Calabar, Nigeria 24 Jan (ANA) - Aid officials in Nigeria's Cross River state say the number of Cameroonian refugees crossing the border into their territory is three times higher than the UN's estimate of 10,000. Up to 33,000 people have now crossed into Cross River state and their situation is worsening, the head of the state emergency management agency, John Inakuththe, told the BBC.

Mr Inakuththe also said there are plans to build camps to accommodate them. Local authorities say they are registering the refugees to produce accurate data and to plan for adequate care. Many of the refugees are currently living in among residents of some communities in Ikom and Ogoja area about 297 kilometres ( 187 miles) north of the port city of Calabar.

One man told the BBC that he spent about 8 weeks wandering in the bush. Another said he was hungry and lost for about a week. They say they are fleeing a government crackdown on Cameroon English-speaking North-west and South-west regions of Cameroon and restricted internet access.(ANA)
FA/ANA/24 January 2018--------