The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on the International Boundary Dispute Between Nigeria and Cameroon announced on Thursday that it is contemplating filing a new application to appeal the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment that ceded Bakassi to Cameroon.
Established by the House to investigate the encroachment into another Cross River State territory by Cameroon, the Ad hoc Committee raised concerns over the potential loss of the Danare and Biajua communities, along with approximately 7,000–10,000 hectares of land in the Boki Area of Cross River State, to Cameroon.
This concern arose from a motion presented by Hon. Victor Abang, citing the failure to locate pillar 113A by the technical committee of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission as the reason for the risk of loss.
The possibility of losing this second Cross River State territory is rooted in the same 2002 judgment that ceded Bakassi. At a meeting with relevant stakeholders on the matter, the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Beni Lar, expressed deep concern about the potential loss of a significant landmass and Nigerian citizens residing within it to Cameroon.
The meeting was attended by the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Adamu Adaji, representatives of the affected Boki communities, and representatives of security agencies, among others.
The Director-General of the NBC, Adamu Adaji, called for compliance with the provisions of the ICJ judgment.
However, committee members expressed frustration with what they perceived as a lack of interest from the NBC in protecting the country’s interests.
In light of the urgent situation, Hon. Cletus Obun, a community leader from Boki, urged for swift intervention to prevent the loss of land and the displacement of the affected people.
As the Ad hoc Committee continues its investigation into the boundary dispute, the House of Representatives seeks to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the well-being of its citizens residing in the contested areas.