FG expresses concerns over the eviction of Bakassi people in Cameroon

Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has expressed concern over the eviction of Bakassi people from Nigeria in Cameroon and wondered why Cameroonian Government ignored the tripartite agreement signed between the Nigerian Government, Cameroon and United States.

Speaking at the Governor’s office on Monday during a courtesy visit on Governor Ben Ayade, the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abduraman Bello Dambauzau rtd said Federal Government regretted the action of the Cameroonian Government and condemned such action.

“Federal Government is actually concern about the recent eviction of Nigerians in Cameroon and regretted the attitude of Cameroonian Government. It is sad because we did not expect this from them. It is not long the Nigerian Government signed a tripartite agreement between us, (Nigerian Government), Cameroon and the United States over the issues of Bakassi. It is a major concern”.

On why he was in the State, the Minister said he was in the State to proceed to Yala local government area of the State with the view to seeing things by himself on the crisis in Wanikade and Wanihem communities in Ukelle North in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.

“We are here as Federal Government delegations to visit the crisis area in Yala Local Government Area of the State. Our visit is a fact finding one and Federal Government was so concern about the crisis especially when it involves lives of women and children as well as property”. According to him, Federal Government has expressed her intension to support the state and also to ensure that such crisis and clashes are curtail and prevented.

Receiving the Minister, Governor Ben Ayade regretted the incident in Yala explaining that the two communities have been leaving together for decades, “They inter married, shared things in common, what happened is the work of devil”.

“The people of Cross River State are very happy for the visit as it will bring a lasting solution to the long crisis in the area and provide assistance to the people. The visit will bring short and long term solutions”.

Governor Ayade urged the Minister to also look into the issue of Bakassi who have been driven out of their ancestral homes by Cameroon Gendarmes and expressed disappointment at their attitude.

“The people are forced out of their ancestral homes without due reference to Cross River State, without due reference to the people of Bakassi and today they are internally displaced People that don’t have an ancestral homes.

“The people are so dislocated that today, the Cameroon gendarmes’ attacked them at will, they are so dehumanised, the returnees have no place to stay, have no homes of their own, they are roaming the street, no food, no shelter, all things falls apart, they are made to be poor in their land”, and appealed to the Minister to visit the people of Bakassi.