According to New Telegraph, the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary issue urged for urgent action on Thursday to avert the loss of another Cross River State area to Cameroon like Bakassi.
Last Monday, eight Cross River parliamentarians proposed losing the Danare and Biajua towns and 7,000 to 10,000 hectares of territory in Boki to Cameroon.
On Thursday, ad hoc committee chairman Hon. Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau) told the media that the committee was highly worried about losing a large landmass and Nigerian residents living in it to Cameroon.
With the loss of the Bakassi Peninsula, she said the worrisome scenario emphasises the urgent need to define the true boundary between the two nations.
The chairman encouraged all parties to resolve the issue quickly to avoid losing land and citizens to Cameroon.
She said the committee understood the situation’s seriousness and ramifications for Nigeria’s territorial integrity and residents’ wellbeing.
She said a quick settlement is needed to avoid repeating history and safeguard Nigerians in the impacted regions.
“The committee wants to express its thanks and admiration for the unrelenting efforts of the following organisations and people who have fought relentlessly to ensure Nigeria is not shortchanged in the border dispute.”
She congratulated the ONSA, National Boundary Commission, Office of the Surveyor General, Office of the Attorney General, Nigerian Armed Forces, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and Cross River state governor for their tireless efforts to ensure Nigeria is not shortchanged in the border issue.
“The ad-hoc committee on the Nigeria-Cameroon Border Conflict is encouraging all relevant parties, both national and international, to give their assistance and help the peaceful settlement process,” she added. A fair and reasonable solution that respects historical, cultural, and social relationships and protects the Nigerian people requires constructive discourse, negotiation, and collaboration.
“The committee also urges Nigerian people, civil society groups, and stakeholders to stay calm, patient, and supportive at this important moment. Unity and cooperation are essential to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and people’s rights.
“Once again, the ad-hoc committee on the Nigeria-Cameroon border issue remains dedicated to a peaceful and amicable conclusion, guided by international law and justice, fairness, and equality. It is convinced that with the joint efforts of all parties concerned and a very excellent sensitisation partnership of the media, a durable solution can be found, protecting Nigeria’s territory and residents’ wellbeing.”
Recall that eight Cross River MPs headed by Hon. Victor Abang submitted a motion on the possibility of losing the two villages if nothing was done quickly. He blamed the technical committee of the Cameroon-Nigeria Joint Commission for not locating pillar 113A.
The House formed the committee to study and analyse the Cameroonian government’s possible territorial encroachment and fully grasp the dispute’s security implications and technical elements.
