Immigration authorities in Cameroon have deported 450 Nigerians from Kousseri, in the country’s border with Chad, describing the move as a preventive measure against the increasing threats from Boko Haram.

The expelled Nigerians number among foreign nationals deported from Chad for not being documented. They however contested the action, describing it as inhumane.

Africa Review reports that the Nigerians were ferried to Mayo-Oulo on the border with Nigeria and handed over to Nigerian authorities in Mubi, Adamawa state.

The prefect of Cameroon’s Logone and Chari division, Albert Mekondané Obounou, said of the deportees: “They are foreign nationals without valid documents. We are working towards identifying those who are living with us [legally]. The expulsion concerns only foreign nationals without valid documents”.

A security source who noted that expulsion of the Nigerians was just the beginning of a crackdown on undocumented foreigners, said: “We decided to send home all foreigners without valid papers. Other countries of the sub-region involved in the fight against Boko Haram had advocated this solution to truly fight against the terrorists who infiltrate people”.