The Nigerian government has vowed an “appropriate action” to
recent escalation of attacks by Cameroonian gendarmes, accused of
killing at least a dozen Nigerians in Bakassi, Cross River State.
Reports suggest about 20 people have been killed and more than a
thousand displaced in multiple attacks in the area within the past two
weeks. A number of locals are also missing.
A recent onslaught occurred more than a week ago when Cameroonian
soldiers opened fire on defenseless natives at Efut Obot Ikot, a
settlement in the peninsula where they preferred to stay, the Chairman
of Bakassi Local Government Area, Ekpo Bassey, said. He said a camp for
displaced persons had swollen to 1, 800.
The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said Thursday in Abuja, that the
report on the attack was being studied by the government. Mr. Moro spoke
after a meeting of the presidential committee on the plight of the
Displaced Bakassi People.
“As it is now, as a good player on the international scene, Nigeria
has subscribed to the Green Tree Agreement and on our own part as a
country we will continue to abide by the provisions of the agreement,”
Mr. Moro said.
“For one reason or the other, resulting from little skirmishes here and
there, the Cameroonian gendarme has attacked some innocent Nigerians.
That report is being presented to government and the Nigerian government
will take appropriate action to redress the situation.”
