A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and candidate for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Mr. Pius Abang, has called on the federal government and Cross River State Government to urgently investigate the reported incursion of Cameroonian soldiers into Danare community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Speaking during a telephone conversation on Thursday, Abang said the report, if not swiftly addressed, could heighten tension in the border community and expose Nigeria to avoidable security and territorial risks.
He urged relevant authorities, including border security agencies and legislative representatives of the area, to immediately verify the situation and ensure coordinated action to prevent escalation.
Abang also called on the member representing Boki I in the Cross River State House of Assembly and the member representing Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, Mr. Victor Abang, to take urgent legislative steps to draw attention to the development.
According to him, swift government response is necessary to reassure residents and prevent panic in the affected community.
“We urge the state and federal government to send SEMA and NEMA relief to Danare, and officials to visit the community,” he said.
He warned that the alleged presence of foreign soldiers, if confirmed, would pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s territorial integrity and increase fear among residents.
“The presence of foreign soldiers would threaten national sovereignty and cause residents of Danare community to begin to live in fear,” Abang stated.
He drew parallels with the historical ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, noting that Cross River State still experiences the socio-economic impact of that development.
Abang said the state continues to feel the effects of losing coastal access, fishing communities, and other economic assets following past boundary adjustments.
He cautioned that any further territorial dispute must be handled with urgency to avoid a repeat of past losses.
“This should not repeat itself,” he warned, referencing earlier disputes involving oil wells and boundary demarcations.
The PDP chieftain also called on Nigeria’s border security agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Boundary Commission to verify the report and engage Cameroonian authorities where necessary.
He urged President Bola Tinubu and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu to treat the matter as urgent and ensure coordinated federal and state intervention.
Abang further appealed for legislative attention, urging the constituency’s representative in the National Assembly to raise the issue formally to prompt swift federal action.
He maintained that decisive intervention would help prevent escalation and reaffirm Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty along its border communities.
