The Nigerian Senate has launched an investigation into Cameroon’s illegal annexation of Nigerian mangrove islands in Akwa Ibom State, forming an ad-hoc committee to address economic losses and territorial integrity. Led by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, the committee has eight weeks to report back, urging urgent actions to secure Nigeria’s territorial waters and address international agreements.
The Senate of Nigeria has established an ad-hoc committee to investigate the alleged illegal annexation of Nigeria’s mangrove islands and maritime areas by Cameroon in Akwa Ibom State. This decision was made during a session where Senator Aniekan Bassey raised concerns about the economic and territorial repercussions of this encroachment, especially considering the loss of access to more than 2,560 oil wells.
The committee will be chaired by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and includes members from various states, tasked with reporting their findings and recommendations within eight weeks. The Senate is urging President Bola Tinubu to take immediate actions to secure Nigeria’s territorial waters and address any implications arising from the situation.
Senator Bassey emphasized that the disputed territories were not part of those ceded to Cameroon in historical agreements, including the Anglo-German treaties of 1913 and the International Court of Justice’s ruling from 2002. He criticized the presence of Cameroonian gendarmes imposing foreign laws on Nigerian citizens in 16 ancestral villages, calling it a “monumental national embarrassment.”
The annexation has reportedly led to significant economic losses for Nigeria due to the disruption of oil revenues. Lawmakers expressed their concern regarding the violation of international agreements and called for the review of the ICJ judgment, proposing that the matter be escalated to the United Nations Convention.
During the discussions, various senators expressed the urgency of the situation, with some calling it a provocation. They stressed the need for Nigeria to fortify its foreign policy and address how both Cameroon and Nigeria have neglected the rights of affected communities.
Senator Abdul Ningi highlighted the broader implications of this incident, arguing that it affects all of Nigeria, not just Akwa Ibom State, while others like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim insisted on reporting these threats to the United Nations. The Senate leadership will coordinate with the executive branch for prompt measures as the committee prepares to investigate further.
In summary, the Nigerian Senate has initiated an investigation into Cameroon’s claimed annexation of Nigerian maritime territories, which has instigated significant economic concerns and territorial integrity violations. The formation of the ad-hoc committee aims to address these issues swiftly, highlighting the importance of immediate governmental action and potential international involvement. The outcomes of this investigation may influence Nigeria’s foreign policy and its standing within international law frameworks.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
