FOTOKOL (AFP) – Nigerians have fled in droves to neighbouring Cameroon to escape violence claimed by the Islamist Boko Haram group and revenge attacks by Christians.

“Everybody is insecure in Nigeria. The fear is all-pervading,” said a Christian priest, speaking on condition of anonymity, in Fotokol, a Cameroonian border town where dozens have taken shelter in the last few weeks.

It is located about 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, the bastion of the shadowy Boko Haram sect which has been blamed for a slew of terror attacks that have sowed panic in Africa’s most populous nation.

Boko Haram has claimed to be fighting for an Islamic state in the north, but its demands have varied.

“Many Nigerians like myself have fled their villages in the south. We feel secure in Cameroon,” the priest said in Fotokol.

“That is why I am sheltered here,” he added.

He has rented a house which is about 10 minutes by motorcycle to the nearest town in Nigeria, Gamboru Ngala, where he heads the local Catholic church.

It is difficult to gauge the exact number of Nigerians who have fled to Cameroon as they cross the border illegally, but there are easily dozens sheltered here since the attacks and tit-for-tat ripostes by Christians.

Mahamat Tujani, a Muslim trader from Maiduguri, fled to Kousseri near Fotokol.

“I abandoned my business and my family to seek refuge at the home of my cousin,” a Cameroonian, he said. “I escaped out of fear.”

He hoped to return home soon, he said, “but if the killings continue, I will bring over my family members here.”

Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of bomb attacks in Nigeria’s Muslim-dominated north. It claimed responsibility for January 20 coordinated bombings and shootings in Nigeria’s second-largest city of Kano that left at least 185 people dead — Boko Haram’s deadliest attack yet.

The August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in the capital Abuja which killed at least 25 people was also attributed to the group.

“When you scent danger, you must escape,” the priest said.

“Even in the Gospel, the Lord says the moment you sense danger, you must escape. If you don’t it’s suicide,” he said.

The priest said two Christians from the mainly Christian Igbo ethnic group were killed in Mobi in Adamawa state about three weeks ago.

“When the other Igbos went to reclaim their bodies the Boko Haram struck and killed 29 others,” he said.

Sectarian violence has been rising since elections in July last year. He urged both Christians and Muslims to “return to God.”

The priest said Muslims were also targeted by Boko Haram. Between January 28 and 30, three people — including a Muslim — were killed in Gamboru Ngala, Nigerian and Cameroonian police and medical sources said.

The priest was following an Africa Cup of Nations match on television at a bar, along with six other compatriots. In another room, eight other Nigerians sat, drinking.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/02/nigerians-flee-to-cameroon-to-escape-boko-haram-violence/

I never believe a group lesser than a village can terrorize a nation made up of 140 million people

But I am still in Nigeria, even I'm yet to see my Kinsmen flee

It is easy to talk of a Tiger when you have not seen one baring down on you.

Ranks007:

But I am still in Nigeria, even I'm yet to see my Kinsmen flee

lagerwhenindoubt:

It is easy to talk of a Tiger when you have not seen one baring down on you.

Food for thought.

This story is a big lie, i think the media is playing some games in exagerating this BH stuff in nigeria, why will nigeria citizens run to cameroun to do what, is it every states in nigeria BH is disturbing,why nt move to ss/se/sw, like were i am in Nigeria now, i dont no if BH is existing or not, am enjoying my life,job,Food and sex, ?

Oju-iku ran to ivory coast,his children are running to cameroun.why ?

^^^^^^^^ Hahahahaha

~Bluetooth:


Oju-iku ran to ivory coast,his children are running to cameroun.why ?

rude!! rude! lmao

@topic- too sad. sad indeed.

So Nigerians are now refugees These are signs of the end of the country called Nigeria!

queensmith:

rude!! rude! lmao

@topic- too sad. sad indeed.

One would have expected the ibos to move toward ivory coast just like their daddy did.

~Bluetooth:


Oju-iku ran to ivory coast,his children are running to cameroun.why ?

LOL

@OP

So Nigeria military cannot safeguard the lives of people in Nigeria ? Are we all going to run away from Nigeria

~Bluetooth:

One would have expected the ibos to move toward ivory coast just like their daddy did.

Hey there, I'd ignored this but felt I should atleast talk.
I don't see why you'd continue to degrade yourself on this forum.
That statement of your was inciting and I want you to retrack it.

Oju-iku ran to ivory coast,his children are running to cameroun.why ?

do you want them in Lagos?

alj harem:

LOL

@OP

So Nigeria military cannot safeguard the lives of people in Nigeria ? Are we all going to run away from Nigeria

I am glad you found his tribalistic ranting entertaining and funny .

That is a worse idea.

~Bluetooth:


Oju-iku ran to ivory coast,his children are running to cameroun.why ?

spokesman of the yoruba cowards of nigeria

~Bluetooth:


Oju-iku ran to ivory coast,his children are running to cameroun.why ?

hausa fulanis are killing yourbas in yoruba land from ekiti to ogun to lagos to osun yet all you cowards do is sit and watch , shameless people

The priest said two Christians from the mainly Christian Igbo ethnic group were killed in Mobi in Adamawa state about three weeks ago.

“When the other Igbos went to reclaim their bodies the Boko Haram struck and killed 29 others,” he said.

I thought Igbos are not touched.,,

see*noevil:

I am glad you found his tribalistic ranting entertaining and funny .

I laughied at Bluetooths comment because you NL Igbos don't control other Igbo tribalist. It seems like you support them in every ethnic slur they make but when the yorubas or hausa do the same, you are quick to point it out.

Again double standards

waxrider:

I thought Igbos are not touched.,,

it is ok, lets not take it too far. yorubas and hausas too are running.

Just one simple question,see comments.Is ivory coast not the capital of iboland ?

Making Cameroun home away from home

Dis is crap. . . Dem chase pipo 4rm north to south now they will soon advance south n pursue pipo to the atlantic ocean. . . Gej still dey dialogue. . Mtcheew!

Quote from: ~Bluetooth on Today at 02:57:27 PM

Oju-iku ran to ivory coast,his children are running to cameroun.why ?

quote from Aj Harem.



     LOL[


@OP

So Nigeria military cannot safeguard the lives of people in Nigeria ? Are we all going to run away from Nigeria  



I am disappointed sir.

An hausa man who hails from a village that is near Niger rep. in katsina also left kano with his children to his village and said that if boko haran gets to his vilage, he will cross over to Niger. Whose headquater is that?

provision store is better than a kiosk, why wont they flee to cameroon when dat part of naija is no longer safe.

my country is a disgrace,GOD should wipe those wicked leaders away,because they are d cause,they should go to hell