About 887 Nigerian refugees have been deported from Cameroon following a request from the Cameroonian government.

External Relations Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Nigeria, Hanson Tanfu on Wednesday said the refugees have arrived in Banki, Nigeria’s border town with Cameroon.

He said the Cameroonian government was worried that some of the refugees may be Boko Haram members.

“The returnees arrived in six trucks sent by Nigerian authorities following the meeting with the governor of the far north region of Cameroon on June 19.

“During the meeting, Nigeria was requested to cause the return of refugees, which the Cameroonian authority suspects may also compromise some elements of Boko Haram whose activities have increased tremendously in recent times.

“Consequently, the Borno State Emergency Management Agency on June 26 dispatched the buses to transport the refugees,’’ Tamfu said.

Tamfu said that the latest group of returnees comprises 233 females, 187 males, 236 girls, and 231 boys who were living in host communities in Kolofata, a far north region of Cameroon.

Azeez