Surviving the Shadows: Armed Conflict Exposure and Forced Displacement Experience of Cameroonian Refugees in Southern Nigeria

This study explores the experiences of armed conflict, forced displacement, and integration of refugees displaced from the Anglophone region in southern Cameroon in Nigeria. In this qualitative study, data was collected using semi-structured interviews with 39 in-depth interviews and 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) with refugees who have experienced armed conflict and forced displacement and have been integrated into Nigeria. Data was collected from refugees at the Adagom permanent refugee settlement and in Calabar, in southern Nigeria, using purposive and snowball sampling techniques to identify participants. The data were analysed using thematic analysis methods. The analysis of the data revealed four thematic areas. Details from the thematic area revealed that participants experienced changes in their community, which was once peaceful, into a battle ground of fear and violence, which induced their decision to flee. Participants shared experiences of trauma and violence during conflict, resulting in deep emotional scars. Participants described the extreme measures taken by individuals as they fled the conflict zone into Nigeria. Participants encountered numerous challenges during the resettlement process, including discrimination, harassment, and social exclusion within their new communities. These findings highlight the multifaceted difficulties faced by Anglophone Cameroonian refugees during conflict and integration in Nigeria, thus emphasizing the significance of thorough policy guidelines to protect refugees in conflict zones while also facilitating their integration processes across borders.