Thousands of residents from Kirawa, a border community in Borno State, Nigeria, have been displaced by recent Boko Haram attacks, forcing them to seek refuge in neighbouring Cameroon villages.
The displaced residents, now living in dire conditions, are appealing for urgent government intervention to restore peace and provide humanitarian aid.
Speaking to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, residents described their harrowing experiences, revealing that they spend their days in Nigeria but return to Cameroon at night due to fears of midnight insurgent attacks.
The situation worsened following a Saturday attack that prompted the withdrawal of Nigerian troops from the community, leaving residents vulnerable.
Abdulrahman Abubakar, the district head of Kirawa, confirmed the mass displacement, noting that many residents are now scattered across Cameroon border villages, sleeping on roads, in mosques, and in school classrooms.
“We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed as our people now juggle between two countries, sleeping in Cameroon at night and returning to spend the day,” Abubakar said.
He emphasised that this is the first major attack since the community was resettled years ago and urged the Nigerian government to act swiftly to resettle residents and ensure security.
Buba Aji, a displaced resident, described the conditions in Cameroon as “disturbing and inhumane.” He recounted how heavy rainfall on Monday night left many residents, including children, exposed to the elements.
“Some of us had to take refuge in mosques, roads, and classrooms because we are scared that the insurgents will return at night,” Aji said, noting that the displaced are primarily located in Kerawa, Lamise, and nearby streets just across the Cameroon border.
He called for the immediate deployment of Nigerian troops to restore order, highlighting the absence of security forces in Kirawa.
“No Nigerian soldier is in our community currently. The JTF, who are Cameroon forces, have returned to their country,” he added.
Another resident, Atahiru Lawan, revealed the scale of the displacement, stating that “80 to 90 percent” of Kirawa’s residents, including children, have fled to Cameroon.
“Our people are lying on the streets of Kerawa, Cameroon, with no accommodation, no aid, no assistance,” Lawan said, joining the call for government intervention to prevent further attacks and provide relief.
The displaced residents, numbering in the thousands, face worsening conditions with no immediate access to shelter or humanitarian aid.
They continue to plead for Nigerian authorities to deploy security forces and provide urgent assistance to prevent further suffering and potential attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.“We need the government to hear our plea and come to our rescue before these people return for another attack,” Aji said, echoing the desperation of a community caught between two countries and living in fear.