The Federal Government has summoned Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Abbas Salahedine, to give explanations on the alleged killing and eviction of Nigerians from the Bakassi Peninsula by Cameroonian gendarmes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Saturday in Abuja by its acting spokesperson, Jane Adams, expressed dismay over the attacks said to have been occasioned by alleged non-payment of taxes on fishing activities.
The ministry said it had instructed the Nigerian Missions in Yaounde and Buea to investigate the reports with a view to confirming their veracity and report back immediately.
The statement read in part, “Meanwhile, the ministry has summoned the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Amb. Abbas Salahedine to demand explanations as to what may have happened.
“The ministry appeals to the Cameroonian authorities to exercise their duty of care and protection over the people of Bakassi, including other Nigerian citizens in the area.”
Media reports indicated that many Nigerians were killed by Cameroon gendarmes, who allegedly attacked residents of Bakassi over failure to pay a N100,000 boat levy.
The reports said the attackers sacked mainly Nigerians from Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Ondo states, adding that over 1,000 Nigerians were sacked from the peninsula.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Council, Eyo Eyo,had in a statement alleged that the people were forcefully ejected by Cameroonian authorities in violation of the Green Tree Agreement which was signed in 2005 between Nigeria and Cameroon.
“As we speak, another refugee problem has hit Cross River as those who were forced out by Cameroon are now putting up in the temporary refugee camp in Akwa Ikot Eyo in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State,” it stated.
