Posted by From JAMES OJO, Abuja. on
Following heavy fighting between Chadian government forces and rebels in Ndjamena, more than 2000 refugees have fled to the Nigerian border town, Gamboru-Ngala.
Following heavy fighting between Chadian government forces and rebels in Ndjamena, more than 2000 refugees have fled to the Nigerian border town, Gamboru-Ngala.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports from the area more than 80 per cent of them were women and children.
The Comptroller of Immigration in Borno, Alhaji Sambo Gwandu, who was at the border town to assess the situation, said they had registered more than 600 Chadians, 500 Nigeriens, 300 Nigerians and two Ghanaians.
He said intelligence reports had shown that more than 6,000 more were on their way from Kusiri, a Cameroonian town sharing international boundary with Chad, and about 30 km from Gamboru.
Most of the refugees said they trekked from Ndjamena to Kusiri, a distance of about 100 km, and later made it to Gamboru Ngala, going for three days without food.
Meanwhile, Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno on Tuesday visited the area and directed the local government to provide food and shelter for the refugees.
He also asked the Borno State Emergency Relief Agency to provide blankets, mattresses and other materials to the refugees.
The governor further directed that the refugees be accommodated at the newly-completed state housing estate at Gamboru-Ngala.
Officials of the National Boundary Commission and the Red Cross have also arrived at the town.