JTF operations: NEMA deny reports that 6,000 Nigerians fled to Niger Republic

Sani Sidi

The National Emergency Management Agency has denied media report that 6,000 Nigerians have crossed the borders into the Republic of Niger in an attempt to flee the operations of the Joint Task Force in Borno State.

The Director General of NEMA, Mohammed Sani-Sidi, in a statement on Tuesday, said the Agency’s record shows that about 2,367 persons have crossed the border, out of which 126 are Nigerians and have since been registered by the Nigerian Embassy in Niamey.

Sani-Sidi stated that, “We want to state categorically that from information available to us, about 2,367 persons have crossed the border from Kashagar, Baga and Kuros communities all in Borno State to Diffa in the Republic of Niger. Out of this figure, 126 are Nigerians while the remaining are citizens of the Republic of Niger who have returned home due to the ongoing crises in the North East.

“We also wish to add that the National Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the Nigerian Intelligence Agency and the Nigerian Embassy in Niamey have already registered the 126 number of the displaced Nigerians that have crossed into the Republic of Niger with a view to providing them with necessary humanitarian supports.”

The NEMA boss therefore maintained that the report was unfounded and not true.

He called on the media and concerned Nigerians to direct all further inquiries on the matter to the agency for clarification.

“I wish to further reiterate that in the spirit of the mutual cooperation between NEMA and the media, the doors of the Agency are always open for enquires on humanitarian issues affecting the country. In conclusion, let me add that the media and members of the public should avoid unnecessary speculation on matters of national interest,” he added.

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