Halid Usman Kwa, comptroller of the Taraba State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has stated that the increase in the number of refugees in Taraba State is a direct result of the current situation in neighboring Cameroon’s Ambazonian area.
Kwa raised the social issues posed by the presence of these refugees in host towns during a meeting with Rev. Fr. Anthony Bature, founder of the Foundation for Peace, Hope, and Conflict Management (FPHCM).
According to him:
“The influx of refugees in Taraba is due to the Ambazonian crisis in neighbouring Cameroon, specifically in Sardauna, Takum, and Kurmi. The presence of these refugees has reportedly led to social challenges in their host communities.”
Kwa emphasized the importance of partnership with the Foundation for Peace, Hope, and Conflict Management while expressing the Nigeria Immigration Service’s (NIS) commitment to addressing the complex challenges of migration and the well-being of displaced communities in Taraba State.
The comptroller brought light on the complex nature of migration, highlighting important elements such as economic development, safety, wars, and natural disasters. He emphasized the significance of working together to overcome these obstacles.
Rev. Fr. Anthony Bature reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to ensuring migrants’ safety and examined opportunities for civil society organizations to positively touch the lives of vulnerable people.
Bature emphasized the importance of a strong relationship between FPHCM, NIS, and the government in addressing the multifaceted difficulties that migrants encounter.