The United Nations has revealed that more than 10,000 Nigerians on Wednesday returned to a town largely targeted by Militants.
The Nigerians had fled into neighboring Cameroon, escaping attacks from the militant group Boko Haram.
But in a humanitarian report, the U.N said those who returned are among some 40,386 civilians who fled the town of Rann last year.
“Reports from sources on the ground indicate that hundreds more are en route to Rann from Cameroon (8 km) by foot,” the U.N. report said.
It adds that “All these people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food and safe water.”
Reuters reported that aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres said all those who fled were ordered to return to northeast Nigeria.
Cameroon has refused to grant asylum to many of these Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram attacks.
In January this year the U.N refugee agency criticized Cameroon for sending 9,000 people back to Rann, refusing them asylum.
The U.N considered that action a breach of the international principle of “non-refoulement” of refugees.
Those now returning to Rann are hoping the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari will bring some relief.
Buhari has promised to deal with the insecurity in parts of the country constantly under Boko Haram attacks.
He made similar promise in 2015 but has struggled to deal with the threats of Boko Haram over the years.
