Senate Adopts Senator Bassey’s Motion to Investigate  Annexation of Nigeria by Cameroon 

By Onwe Wisdom

The Senate following a motion on the illegal annexation of Nigerian mangrove islands, waters and it crude oil by the Republic of Cameroon brought bunder order 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Order 2023 as amended ebly moved Senator Aniekan Bassey ( Akwa-Ibom North-East) has launched an investigation into the alleged illegal annexation of Nigerian mangrove islands and maritime territories by the Republic of Cameroon. This development follows a motion moved by Senator Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East), who raised concerns over the loss of 16 ancestral communities and over 2,500 oil wells in Akwa Ibom State.

Moving the motion on the floor of the Senate during the Tuesday plenary, Sen. Aniekan said…

“I rise with utmost sense of responsibility to move the attention of this Senate to the illegal annexations of Nigerian Mangroves Island situated at Efiat in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by the Republic of Cameroon. This is noting that the island in focus were not part of the territories ceded to the Government of Cameroun by the 1913 Anglo-German treaties and the International Court of Justice’s decision of October, 2002. As such, the encroachment into these territories is not only illegal but has led to huge economic loss of more than 2,500 oil wells and gas revenues which ought to accrue to Nigeria. Also very pathetically, it is a monumental national embarrassment that foreign Laws are imposed by the Cameroun Gendarmes on Nigerians living in the 16 Nigerian ancestral homes and villages in the said mangrove island. Hence, I am compelled to move this motion in the following terms:

“Observes that the Mangrove Island and waters situated at the geographical location called Effiat in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State marking the terminal end of the Gulf of Guinea down seaward to the Atlantic Ocean coast, is currently under the administrative control of the Republic of Cameroun illegally and contrary to the 1913 Anglo-German Treaties, International Court of Justice’s judgment of October, 2002 and Section 12 (1) (2) (3) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (As Amended).

“Aware that this island and waters are economically important to the region, as it hosts copious fishing routes and approximately over 2,500 oil wells as well as gas revenues that should accrue to the Nigerian Government but which are lost to the Republic of Cameroun as a result of the illegal annexation of the island by the Republic of Cameroun.

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“Concerned that Nigerians living in the said Mangroves Island comprising about 16 villages and ancestral home in an area recognized and provided for in the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (As Amended) and which was not ceded to Cameroun Republic by the 1913 treaties and the International Court of Justice judgement, being uncomfortable with Cameroun Soldiers in their communities even when no Cameroonian lives in that community took to an open protests (See: Punch Newspaper Saturday March 19, 2016 page 49.

“Further aware that 2 months after the protest of March 19, 2016, Cameroun President, Mr. Paul Riya during his visit to Nigeria on the 5 May 2016, enquired from the Former President Muhammadu Buhari about Nigeria’s position on Bakassi Peninsula and the Nigerian-Cameroun hydrocarbon joint ventures and was informed by Former President Buhari that Nigeria had accepted the International Court of Justice judgement but that the technical aspect of the international waters, which is the embodiment of the said Nigerian Mangroves island and waters, is yet to be fully determined. See: Vanguard Newspaper of 5th May, 2016 page 8 and Leadership Newspaper of 5th May, 2016 page 6.

“Worried that the continued expansionist foreign policy of the Republic of Cameroun after independence of our country by illegal annexation and vigorous pursuit for the 16 villages of the Nigerian Mangrove Island, waters and oil constitutes a breach of international laws, an affront on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s economic resources as well as national embarrassment.

“Recalls that Resolution 16 (1) of the First Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the Organization of African Unity held in Cairo from 17th to 21 July 1964, all African Nations including the Republic of Cameroun pledged to respect the borders of other African States after the attainment of National Independence.

“Cognizant that the Anglo German treaties of 11 March, 1913 lay the Mangrove Island firmly within Nigerian Territory as they lay west of the Rio Del Ray River and serves as the official border line between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroun as reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice judgement on the 10th day of October, 2002.

“Observes that although the International Court of Justice had ordered both Nigeria and Cameroun to withdraw sovereignty over areas they were not entitled to under the 1913 Anglo German treaties which resulted in Nigeria hurriedly ceding over 32 villages from Adamawa to the Lake Chad areas to the Republic of Cameroun, Cameroun Republic has continued to hold up Nigerian territories to ransom, thus, adversely affecting the people and the economy of the entire nation.”

Debating and supporting the motion, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) stressed the need for urgent diplomatic intervention, warning that the Senate must not remain silent on threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“There is a violation of our territorial rights, and this can cause environmental disaster and reduce national revenue. The Senate must escalate this matter to the United Nations to seek justice,” he stated.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) while  recalling Nigeria’s controversial ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, lamenting that history was repeating itself said

“They can not  continue to treat our people as if the communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River do not matter. The Senate should escalate this matter to President Tinubu and involve experts and diplomats to assess the situation. Africa sees Nigeria as a ‘lame duck leader,’ a giant that is not given its due respect by smaller African countries,

Broader Territorial Concerns The issue of territorial encroachment was not limited to Akwa Ibom. Other senators raised concerns about similar border conflicts affecting their states.

Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) pointed out that the Republic of Benin had laid claims to Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, calling for increased vigilance on Nigeria’s land and maritime borders.

Senator Amos Yohanna (Taraba North) noted that four local government areas in Taraba State were also affected by boundary disputes, urging the federal government to empower the National Boundary Commission to address these issues comprehensively.

Following the exhaustive deliberation on the motion and amendment on it’s prayers, Senate set up a nine-member Ad-hoc Committee, chaired by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, to investigate the matter and report back within two months with membership composition including

Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) – Chairman, Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central) Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), Kaka Lawan (Borno Central), Banigo Ipalibo (Rivers West), Agom Jarigbe (Cross River North), Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South)Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East)