Bakassi: Reps probe Cameroon’s takeover of Nigeria’s island

The House of Repre­sentatives yesterday resolved to investigate an alleged illegal an­nexation of Mbo Mangrove Island in Akwa Ibom State by the Republic of Camer­oon.

The Island, which falls within Nigeria’s territory and separated from the Bakassi peninsula is said to have been taken over by Cameroonian Gendarmes who now police the Island and exploit mineral resources in the area on behalf of Cameroon .

Sponsor of the motion, Robinson Uwak (PDP), Akwa Ibom); claimed the Island which hosts the Effiat clan and 16 villages of Mbo Local Gov­ernment Area of Akwa Ibom State, was currently under the administrative control of the Republic of Cameroon.

He explained that the island boasts of 350 oil wells and co­pious fishing routes, lament­ing that Cameroonians now enjoyed the resources at the expense of Nigeria.

He submitted: “As a result of the illegal occupation of the Island by the Republic of Cameroon, oil and gas rev­enues which should accrue to the Nigerian Government are lost to the Republic of Cam­eroon.

“Cognizant of March 11, 1993 Anglo-German trea­ties that lay this Island firmly within Nigerian Territory, as the Island lays West of the Rio Del Ray Estuary, which serves as the official border line be­tween Nigeria and Cameroon as re-affirmed by the Interna­tional Court of Justice judg­ment on October 10, 2002.”