The Federal Government has said there is no more Nigerian refugees in Benin Republic following attacks on Ogun communities by armed herdsmen.
The Director of Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bolaji Akinremi, disclosed this to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
Responding to inquiries on what the government was doing to bring back the refugees, Akinremi said the Nigerian mission visited the villages mentioned but were told that the Ogun refugees have returned home.
He stated, “Our mission visited the villages mentioned and met with rulers, but was told that those who came as a result of the crisis had returned after a few days. So, no Nigerian refugee was found in Benin Republic. In line with the various media reports and the reported National Assembly directive for NEMA to bring them back home, the MFA will be willing to support as appropriate.”
The displaced persons from Agbon-Ojodu, Moro, Asa, Ibeku and other villages in the Yewa Local Government Area of Ogun State had abandoned their communities and took refuge in neighbouring Benin Republic following incessant attacks by armed herdsmen.
According to report, over 20 persons have been killed by the herdsmen, who also graze their cows on the farms of members of the communities.
Recall that the Senate asked the Federal Government to direct officials of the National Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to bring the refugees back following a point of order raised by the senator representing Ogun West, Tolu Odebiyi.