By: UNDIE Emmanuel.
During the Stakeholder meeting drawn from among the Security apparatus of the Army, Navy, Customs, Air Force, and Civil Defence held on the 12th Sept. 2023 at the conference hall of the House of Representatives, National Assembly Abuja.
This meeting arose from a conflict of interest and lack of patriotism regarding the role played by the Director General (DG) of the National Boundary Commission and the Surveyor General of the federation, suspected to be complacent and not honest in their dealings, concerning the sot in their dealings, concerning the so-called missing pillar 8 which arose high suspicion and conflict in the border axis of Adamawa State.
The Committee therefore called for overhaul until the committee oversight functional visit to the affected areas in question for on-the-spot assessment and thorough findings.
The disputed areas in question cut across Dannary in Cross River State part of Lake Chad in Borno State and Adamawa State among others cited to the Republic of Cameroon.
The conflict in question is why the Director General of National Boundary and his Cohort, the Surveyor General is seen beyond the rhetoric, this is the issue on the front burner, why some places advantaged to Nigeria, use Boundary Mark of pillar, in some places advantaged to hy in some places advantaged to Cameroon, they don’t use boundary mark of pillars but water shade and in some places, the pillars miraculously disappear from the boundary records. It is also suspected that most of the time, they rely on the Cameroon Axis and even camp there instead of staying on the Nigerian side or alternate, during the demarcation exercise. Arising, therefore, from the ICJ ruling, which should be located in pillar 8 for the boundary definition between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Rt. Hon. Paschal was on the meeting ground with the Attorney General of Nigeria from Lake Chad to Bakassi in Cross River. It is of essence that water shade of the ruling position of Cameroon that should be used in Lake Chad, Down to Bakassi which fell into Nigeria. We are therefore against this selective intervention because there are parts that fell into Nigeria and are parts that fell into Nigeria and Cameroon, meaning that something is happening.
‘we started from Lake Chad and should continue from there’. There shouldn’t be selective interest as the work must be done properly. The ICJ should explain what they meant by using water shade in some places. Why should they be selective in their camping for the boundary assignment?
On the Boki side, the military present needs to do something about the Abbadon Health Centre and Boundary Commission where they noted that, there is no school in Dannary, why the children are treated as non-existent, there should be rescue and provision for education at the Dannary Boki axis.
North-East Development Commission (NEDC) submission on the mandate covering the border area noted the issue of water shade and outlined what, they have done in 4 years, especially in Borno State.
The welfare given the development of the Commission has been noted, where Mohammed Goni- Alkali representative was on the ground to represent the MD and reported on their intervention so far.
On security, we started with the Nigerian Army based on threats and signals, where the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army in Adamawa is on standby on cross-border security arrangements, also based on threat. The Air Vice Marshal represented the Chief of Air staff, who also gave a brief on pillar replacement and stated that they are providing backup security and that they have 2 aircraft on standby and that they have two aircraft on standby at Adamawa and Borno State for emergency calls on request to monitor security violation and also they partake in cross border patrol as there a core area of command against any threat.
He also noted that they partake in the strategic initiatives for commensurate attention and operational platform for peace against restiveness and suppression to ensure peace within the axis.
The Customs Boss led by M. S Shuiabu, also on the ground, states the duty performed by the Nigerian Customs at the border axis, which does not only end at raising revenue for the nation but also involves joint surveillance to check foreign incursion and also intervene against disingenuous against incursion activities at ensuring sustainable peace and also involve patrol of the axis with the military.
In conclusion, the role played by those concerned was spotted as being lopsided which had to be over-halted for proper intervention while as the managing director of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Mohammed Goni-Alkali was represented as earlier stated, their role for four years operation on the master plan was to fast track sustainable development of the region and they are saddled with the responsibility of responding to disaster crises devastated on the region based on the need assessment of the zone, known as NESDMP as their robust regional master plan, which is done in consultation with stakeholders, for social eco-plan, which is done in consultation with stakeholders, for the social economic development of the region with the diverse group that encompasses the relevant aspect of development plan and policy.
The committee vowed peace in the border axis for the National development, peace, and progress of Nigeria.
This meeting has been held overtime with three working groups across the Nigeria and Cameroon Border conflict, reflected from 1994 across 1910, ruling from Borno down to Cross River and on pillar disagreement and replacement along exclusive reserve of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Hon Beni-lar chairman International Boundary Committee.
