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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Cameroonian soldiers have formally withdrawn from the Nigerian community of Danare in the Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Cameroonian soldiers in their numbers recently invaded the Nigerian community, claiming it was their jurisdiction.
Vigilant youths in the community challenged the Cameroonians to leave their territory, saying they had no jurisdictional rights to invade Danare.
The Cameroonian soldiers were heard warning the Nigerian youths to stop recording them and leave the way for them.
A former member of the State House of Assembly representing the area, Cletus Obun, confirmed the incident and drew the attention of Nigerian authorities to the incessant incursions of Cameroonian soldiers into the borderline communities.
According to him, “The incident took place near a Catholic Church in Danare 1 on the road to Budwm — a Bokiye-speaking community as you come from Nigerian end.
“For them to move into Danare is something that baffles me — all because Nigeria has let down our guard, and Cameroon has taken advantage of it,” he said.
He lamented that Nigeria had always left its borders in that volatile axis open to such a dangerous level of encroachment, saying it was not the first time that the Cameroonians were encroaching.
The Chairman of Boki LGA, Beatrice Nyiam, said she had received reports and concerns from residents of Danare community regarding the alleged unauthorised entry of Cameroonian military personnel into the area.
She assured them that the matter was being handled by appropriate security and government authorities.
However, formally reacting to the incident, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, said the situation was under control.
According to him, “The 82 Division Nigerian Army has noted concerns arising from the unauthorised entry of personnel of the Cameroonian Armed Forces into Danare Community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State on 9 June 2026.
“Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed at the Forward Operating Base Danare, upon receiving reports of foreign military presence, promptly responded and contacted appropriate Cameroonian Armed Forces authority which led to the withdrawal of Cameroonian troops from Nigerian territory in line with established border protocols.
“Accordingly, the situation was immediately contained without further escalation.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the incident was triggered by a dispute over the collection of levies on farmland located between Danare Community (Nigeria) and Dadi Community (Cameroon).
“In furtherance of existing diplomatic and military cooperation and as a confidence‑building measure, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division has directed the Commander 13 Brigade to visit his Cameroonian counterpart for further engagement on the situation.
“This is designed to strengthen border coordination, clarify operating procedures along the boundary, and prevent future occurrences,” he said.
He emphasised that the Division remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring the security of all communities along the nation’s borders in its Area of Operations.
