The Nigerian Army on Monday debunked the news that Cameroonian Ambazonian Separatists invaded Nigerian territory, killing at least 20 people in a community in Boki Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State.
Spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement titled “No Nigerian Territory Attacked By Cameroonian Separatists” that though there was an attack close to the Nigerian-Cameroonian border, it was “not within Nigerian territory as claimed.”
Chief Cletus Obun, a former member of Cross River House of Assembly and an aspirant of House of Representatives for Boki/Ikom federal constituency, who confirmed that Ambazonia separatists in Northwest and Southeast regions of Cameroon who style themselves as Ambazonian Defence Forces (ADF) attacked Nigerian territory.
According to Obun, “I can confirm that the Ambazonian soldiers crossed the Nigerian border Sunday morning to attack their compatriots who fled into Nigeria and refused to join their forces to fight.
“They killed nearly 20. No one is sure yet if amongst those killed, there are Nigerian citizens.”
He said the remaining Cameroonians who also speak Bokye language of Boki people have now flooded Bashu community, not far from Danare, where Nigerian troops have a small camp.
Six months ago, hundreds of residents of Taraba border communities fled their homes following killing of 11 people, including a traditional ruler, by Ambazonian separatists’ fighters.
The Ambazonian soldiers also burnt many houses and schools and carted away properties.
But General Nwachukwu said in a statement that “the Nigerian Army has been notified of a statement insinuating that Nigerian villages were attacked by Cameroonian (Ambazonian) separatists on 29 May 2022.
“Contrary to the misinformation, own troops deployed at Danare received information on Sunday morning about the said attack.
“The troops immediately mobilised to Bashu community, which was allegedly under attack.
“On their arrival, it was revealed that Bashu was not under attack and no external incursion was recorded; rather the separatists attacked Obonyi 2 and Njasha, both of which are communities located in the Republic of Cameroon.
“Four victims of the attack, who crossed over to Nigerian territory were later rescued by our troops and operatives of Nigerian Immigration Services.
“The attack was therefore not within Nigerian territory as claimed.
“Members of the public are enjoined to disregard the unsubstantiated information and not panic.”
