Cameroonian soldiers fire warning shots as Cross River youths resist alleged territorial incursion

On Wednesday, the Danare community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State was thrown into tension when armed soldiers from Cameroon were reported to have entered the area. Local youths and women confronted the troops, accusing them of encroaching on Nigerian territory.

Social‑media videos show many residents challenging the heavily armed soldiers, who allegedly claimed the area was within Cameroonian jurisdiction. The situation almost escalated into violence when the foreign troops fired several warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd.

Eyewitnesses say that more than 50 soldiers entered the community with sophisticated weapons, prompting residents to block their passage and demand an immediate withdrawal. The soldiers also warned locals against recording their activities.

Mr. Cletus Obun, a former member of the Cross River State House of Assembly who represented the constituency, confirmed the incident. He described it as another in a series of incursions by Cameroonian forces into border communities in the state. According to Obun, the soldiers fired repeatedly near a Catholic Church in Danare I, along the road to Budam, after youths resisted their advance.

Obun blamed the recurring border disputes on Nigeria’s failure to adequately secure the area, alleging that Cameroon continues to challenge aspects of the United Nations‑backed border demarcation following the International Court of Justice ruling on the Bakassi Peninsula. “Were it not for the vigilance of local youths, Cameroon would have occupied Danare,” he said, recalling a similar attempt in 2013 during the implementation of the ICJ judgment.

He also lamented that repeated appeals by community leaders, including former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma‑Egba, for a stronger security presence along the border had yielded little response.

In reaction to the incident, Major Yemi Sokoya, spokesperson for the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, said the military was aware of the event and would issue an official statement after reviewing the situation.

Mrs. Beatrice Etta Nyiam, Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, confirmed receiving reports from residents about the alleged unauthorized entry of Cameroonian military personnel into Danare. She assured residents that relevant security agencies and government authorities were handling the matter and urged the public to remain calm, law‑abiding, and avoid actions that could heighten tensions in the border community.