Cross River Residents Reassured After Army Resolves Border Standoff
The Nigerian Army has confirmed that normalcy has been restored in Danare community, located in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, following an unauthorized entry by Cameroonian military personnel into the area. According to military authorities, the incident occurred on Tuesday but was swiftly addressed by Nigerian troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Danare, preventing any escalation of tensions along the border. The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Enugu. Ayeni explained that upon receiving reports of the presence of foreign troops within Nigerian territory, personnel at the forward operating base immediately initiated communication with the appropriate Cameroonian military authorities. The intervention led to the withdrawal of the Cameroonian soldiers in accordance with established border management procedures and existing bilateral agreements between both countries. Preliminary investigations indicated that the incident was linked to a disagreement over the collection of levies on farmland situated between Danare community in Nigeria and Dadi community across the border in Cameroon. To further strengthen cooperation and prevent similar incidents, the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division has directed the Commander of the 13 Brigade to engage directly with his Cameroonian counterpart.
According to the army, the planned meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic and military confidence-building efforts aimed at improving border coordination, clarifying operational procedures, and promoting peaceful coexistence between communities on both sides of the border. Ayeni noted that the engagement would also provide an opportunity for both military formations to address concerns arising from the incident and reinforce mechanisms for effective communication. The army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria's territorial integrity and ensuring the security of citizens living in border communities. Residents of Danare and surrounding areas have been assured that the situation is fully under control, with security personnel maintaining a strong presence and closely monitoring activities along the border corridor. The military further urged residents to remain calm, continue their normal activities, and avoid spreading unverified information that could create unnecessary fear or tension within the community.Authorities emphasized that cooperation between local residents and security agencies remains essential in sustaining peace and stability in the border region.
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