Armed Cameroonian soldiers threaten youths in Cross River

Youths and women of the Danare community in Boki LGA of Cross River State on Wednesday morning confronted armed Cameroonian soldiers who moved with heavy guns into their community, claiming it was their jurisdiction. The confrontation, as shown in viral videos recorded by the locals, was almost bloody when the Cameroonian soldiers sporadically shot into […]

Youths and women of the Danare community in Boki LGA of Cross River State on Wednesday morning confronted armed Cameroonian soldiers who moved with heavy guns into their community, claiming it was their jurisdiction.

The confrontation, as shown in viral videos recorded by the locals, was almost bloody when the Cameroonian soldiers sporadically shot into the air to scare away the adamant natives.

The youths were heard challenging the Cameroonians to leave their territory, as they have no jurisdictional rights to invade Danare.

The Cameroonian soldiers were heard warning the Nigerian youths to stop recording them.

The armed soldiers, reported to be over 50, began to shoot into the air sporadically to scare the Nigerian youths.

Reacting, a former member of the state House of Assembly representing the area, Mr Cletus Obun, who, alongside the former leader of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, had several times drawn the attention of Nigerian authorities to the incessant incursions by Cameroonian soldiers into the border communities, confirmed the incident.

“The Cameroonian soldiers shot several times to scare away the youths who blocked their further advance into Nigerian territory.

“The incident took place near a Catholic Church in Danare 1 on the road to Budam – a Bokiye speaking community as you come from the Nigerian end.

“For them to move into Danare is something that baffles me – all because Nigeria has let down our guard, and Cameroon has taken advantage of it,” he said.

The spokesperson of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Major Yemi Sokoya, said they were aware of the development and were going to officially react.

Also reacting, the Chairman of Boki LGA, Mrs Beatrice Etta Nyiam, said she has received reports and concerns from residents of Danare Community regarding the alleged unauthorised entry of Cameroonian military personnel into the area.

She assured the matter was being handled by appropriate security and government authorities.