Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District has urged the Senate to investigate the alleged illegal annexation of Nigerian Mangrove Islands situated at Efiat in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by the Republic of Cameroon.
The Senator made this known at Tuesday plenary through a motion brought under Order 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended.
Describing the encroachment as an act of economic sabotage and a violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, Senator Bassey highlighted the urgency of the matter, stressing that the annexed territory was never part of the lands ceded to Cameroon under the 1913 Anglo-German treaties or the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision of October 2002.
Senator Bassey, through the motion, outlined “the economic significance of the annexed Mangrove Island, which hosts extensive fishing routes and approximately 2,500 oil wells. The revenue from these resources, which should rightfully belong to Nigeria, is currently being lost to Cameroon due to the occupation.”
He raised concerns over the imposition of Cameroonian laws on Nigerians residing in the 16 ancestral villages within the disputed territory, maintaining that “Cameroonian Gendarmes have enforced foreign laws in these Nigerian communities, leading to distress and open protests by affected residents. One such protest was reported by Punch Newspaper on March 19, 2016.”
Senator Bassey recalled that “during a visit to Nigeria on May 5, 2016, Cameroonian President Paul Biya sought clarification from former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Nigeria’s position regarding the Bakassi Peninsula and joint hydrocarbon ventures. In response, President Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s acceptance of the ICJ ruling but noted that the technical demarcation of international waters, including the disputed Mangrove Island, was yet to be fully determined. (Vanguard Newspaper, Leadership Newspaper, May 5, 2016.)”
Further referencing diplomatic agreements, the Senator pointed to Resolution 16 (1) of the First Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) held in Cairo in 1964.
According to Senator Bassey, “the resolution required African nations, including Cameroon, to respect post-independence territorial borders. Moreover, the Anglo-German Treaty of March 11, 1913, firmly places the Mangrove Island within Nigerian territory, as it lies west of the Rio Del Ray River, which serves as the official border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Despite these treaties and court rulings, Cameroon has reportedly continued its territorial expansion, violating international laws and causing economic and political setbacks for Nigeria.”
In light of the motion moved by Senator Bassey, the Senate resolved to established an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the illegal annexation of the Nigerian Mangroves Island at Efiat-Mbo by the Republic of Cameroon, examine the economic impact of the encroachment, particularly the loss of oil and gas revenues.
Senator Bassey further added that the Senate also resolved to access the human rights implications for Nigerians residing in the affected villages.
He assured Nigerians, particularly residents of Akwa Ibom State, that the Senate’s Ad-Hoc Committee will ensure concrete actions are taken to reclaim the annexed territory and safeguard the nation’s economic and territorial interests.
Media Unit
Office of the Senator
Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District
