The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the international boundary dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon has called for “swift” action to prevent the nation from losing another territory to its neighbor. In 2008, Nigeria ceded the Bakassi Peninsula, an area of over 1,000 square kilometers, to Cameroon following the Greentree agreement and a judgment by the International Court of Justice in 2002.
Recently, concerns were raised that Danare and Biajua communities, along with approximately 7,000 to 10,000 hectares of land in the Boki area of Cross River state, are at risk of being ceded to Cameroon. This is attributed to the non-location of pillar 113A by the technical committee of the Cameroon-Nigeria mixed commission.
To address the issue, an ad hoc committee was set up by the House of Representatives. Beni Lar, the committee’s chairperson, emphasized the need for all stakeholders to work towards a swift resolution to prevent further loss of land and citizens to Cameroon. The committee expressed deep concern over the potential loss and highlighted the urgent need to outline the correct border stretch between the two countries.
Lar stressed that a swift resolution is imperative to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the welfare of its citizens. The committee appreciated the efforts of organizations and individuals working to ensure a fair outcome in the border dispute. Lar called for unity, collaboration, and patience from Nigerian citizens, civil society organizations, and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of trust in the legal processes and support for the efforts to protect the country.
The ad hoc committee remains committed to a peaceful and amicable resolution guided by international law and principles of justice, fairness, and equity. It expressed confidence that with the collective efforts of all parties involved and effective collaboration with the media, a lasting solution can be reached to secure Nigeria’s land and the well-being of its citizens.
