1187 Nigerians refugees return home from Cameroon

More than a thousand Nigerian refugees, who fled the north-eastern Nigeria prey to the exactions of Boko Haram, have returned from Cameroon in two days, the Agency of Emergency Management (Nema) said on Wednesday.

In total, 1187 people returned from Monday to Wednesday and were welcomed in the refugee camp Fufore (Adamawa State) in north-eastern Nigeria, where they are receiving food and basic equipment, the statement of Nema.

The Nigerian army, aided by the Chadian and Cameroonian army since the beginning of the year, has regained significant ground on Islamist insurgents, allowing refugees to return.

"Thanks to the improved situation in terms of security," 18,600 refugees have already been able to return from Cameroon since August and 15,000 more are expected in the coming weeks, according to Nema.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said last week that his government would do "everything in its power to facilitate the rapid return and resettlement" of refugees, early 2016.

The government and the army claim to be able to put an end to Boko Haram by the end of December, which observers are strongly skeptical about since attacks and bombings continue.