Panic as Over 200 Cameroonian Soldiers Reportedly Enter Nigerian Border Community in Cross River

Residents of Danare community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State were thrown into panic on Wednesday after more than 200 armed Cameroonian security personnel reportedly crossed into Nigerian territory without formal border clearance.

The incident sparked fear among residents, with many fleeing their homes amid concerns that the development could escalate into a security crisis in the border community.

According to local sources, the heavily armed officers entered the area in the early hours of Wednesday, raising fresh concerns about the safety of communities situated 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 claimed that Mbia confronted the foreign security personnel and warned against actions capable of violating Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

His intervention was reportedly instrumental in calming tensions and preventing any immediate confrontation between the Cameroonian personnel and residents of the community.

Residents described the presence of the armed officers as disturbing, noting that the unexpected movement of such a large number of foreign security personnel created anxiety across the area.

Many locals fear the operation may be connected to the lingering separatist conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, which has for years displaced thousands of people and pushed refugees into parts of Cross River State.

Danare and other border communities in Boki Local Government Area have long served as safe havens for Cameroonians fleeing violence associated with the Anglophone crisis. The area has also witnessed previous incidents involving cross-border operations by Cameroonian security forces.

Historical records show that Danare experienced similar incursions in 2017 and 2018 when Cameroonian soldiers reportedly crossed into Nigerian territory while pursuing separatist fighters, prompting concerns over Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty and border security.

Community leaders have called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance along the border and reassure residents of their safety.

They warned that repeated unauthorized movements by foreign troops into Nigerian communities could heighten tensions and undermine peace in already vulnerable border settlements.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Nigerian Army, the Cross River State Government, or the Federal Government regarding the reported incursion.

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