The Senate on Tuesday raised a nine-man panel of inquiry to investigate the “illegal annexation” of Nigerian Mangrove Islands and maritime territories by the Republic of Cameroon, leaving Nigeria with the loss of economic benefits from over 2,560 oil wells.
Cameroon Gendarmes are also alleged to be infringing on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians living on the islands along the coastlines in Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers states and other maritime territories.
Aside from the crude oil deposits, the vast islands are said to have huge potential for fishery and other agricultural resources.
The Senate, in a resolution, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently look into the matter by ensuring that the Federal Government fully defended the sovereignty of Nigeria.
The resolution followed the alarm raised by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Anekam Bassey, through a motion of urgent national importance to draw the attention of the Senate to the alleged atrocities of the Cameroonian authorities on the islands and other Nigerian maritime territories.
In laying the argument for his motion, Sen. Bassey recalled that though the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2002, settled the dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon over the Bakassi Peninsula in favour of the latter, the mangrove islands and the 2.560 oil wells were not part of the ceded areas.
He noted that the 1913 Anglo-German Treaty also recognised the islands to be part of Nigeria.
However, Bassey expressed shock that Cameroon had annexed the islands and continued to administer them as part of its territories, practically displacing Nigerians from their ancestral properties.
“These islands are not part of the territories ceded to Cameroon by the ICJ or the 1913 Anglo-German Treaty.
“There are over 16 villages occupied by Nigerians on the islands”, he told the Senate.
Several senators, while contributing to the debate, condemned the actions of the Cameroonians, saying that they kept trying Nigeria’s patience in spite of embracing peace over the years in the midst of provocation.Senator Neda Imasuen, for instance, said it was painful that Cameroonian forces continued to attack Nigerian communities since 2002 after the issue of Bakassi Peninsula was decided.
“We ceded vast amounts of territories to Cameroon, yet it’s annoying that they are still venturing into Nigeria. We need to send a serious warning that enough is enough”, he stated.
Former governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Seriake Dickson, pointed out, “We are aware of the sad ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon and manner in which the Green Tree Agreement that followed was implemented.
“A lot of indigenous communities of Nigeria were left stranded in Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers State as a result of that ICJ judgment.
“Now, the current inquiry will focus on whether the ICJ’s judgment and agreement cover these communities where the islands are situated.”
On his part, the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, urged the Senate to move fast to ascertain the true situation of things regarding the islands.
“What we need to do is to move into action to find out the truth about this matter. The Ministry of Justice, the boundary commission and others, they have to move in quickly”, he added.
Senator Abdul Ningi recalled the disappointment of Nigerians when the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo ceded the Bakassi territories to Cameroon.
He spoke more, “We continue to treat our people 23 years later, as if the communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers do not matter.
“We have not treated our people with the dignity they deserve.This is not a small matter. The Senate should take this matter to President Tinubu to get experts and diplomats to assess the situation.
“For now, the entire Africa sees us a lame duck leader, a giant that is not accorded his dues by smaller African countries.
“It’s important that we get a report from the leadership in one week.”
Sen Jimoh Ibrahim heads the 9-man panel mandated to conduct the investigation within two months and includes senators Ayodele Adegbobire, Seriake Dickson, Shehu Kaka, Ipalibo Banigo, Agon Jarigbe Jarigbe and Ekong Samson. Akpabio, in his closing remarks, urged Tinubu to also look at the case by exploring diplomatic options with his Cameroonian counterpart.
