More than 200 armed Cameroonian security personnel reportedly crossed into Danare community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State on Wednesday, sparking fear among residents and raising fresh concerns over border security.
The reported incursion caused widespread panic in the border community, with many residents fleeing their homes amid fears that the situation could escalate into a security crisis.
According to local sources, the heavily armed officers entered Nigerian territory in the early hours of the day without formal border clearance. Their presence unsettled residents, who expressed concerns about the safety of communities located along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
A former Vice Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Hon. Kingsley Mbia, was said to have intervened during the incident. Community sources disclosed that he confronted the foreign security personnel and cautioned them against actions that could undermine Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
His intervention reportedly helped calm tensions and prevented any immediate confrontation between the visiting troops and local residents.
Residents described the development as disturbing, noting that the sudden arrival of a large contingent of armed foreign officers created anxiety throughout the community. Many feared the operation might be connected to the ongoing separatist conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, which has forced thousands of people to seek refuge in neighbouring Cross River communities.
Danare and other settlements along the border have for years accommodated refugees and displaced persons fleeing violence in Cameroon. The area has also witnessed previous incidents involving cross-border pursuits by Cameroonian security forces.
The latest development has revived memories of similar incidents recorded in 2017 and 2018, when Cameroonian troops allegedly crossed into Danare while pursuing separatist fighters. Those incidents drew diplomatic attention and prompted reactions from Nigerian lawmakers and security agencies.
Community leaders have called on the Federal Government and relevant security authorities to strengthen surveillance along the border and reassure residents of their safety.
They warned that repeated unauthorised movements by foreign troops could heighten tensions in already vulnerable border communities.
