The Senate, yesterday, summoned the minister of defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, to appear before relevant committees and brief lawmakers on why Cameroonian soldiers invaded some border communities in Cross River State.
The minister is expected to brief the committees on steps being taken by the Nigerian government to respond to the alleged invasion and arrest of five natives in one of the border communities.
The upper chamber called on the military authorities to increase military presence and intensify border patrol within the area to prevent further acts of trespassing by Cameroun’s soldiers.
It also called on the minister of foreign affairs to urgently liaise with his Cameroonian counterpart to secure the release of the five abducted Nigerians.
The decisions of the Senate followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator John Enoh.
“On January 25, 2018, more than 80 Cameroonian soldiers with various weapons crossed the international boarder of the Danare-Daddi/Danare-Bodom axis and abducted five natives.
“This is a calculated assault/offence from the Cameroonian military on Nigeria and an outright defiance of Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty, not minding the consequences of crossing the international boundary to carry out intimidation and harassment on the already alarmed citizens of Danare, with warnings of further assault.
“The current situation being faced by both the refugees and host border communities, if not tackled urgently, may result in both an outbreak of epidemic and a serious humanitarian crisis and further escalate the already troubling security situation along these boarders,” Enoh said in his motion.
