Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have acknowledged concerns over the unauthorised entry of Cameroonian Armed Forces personnel into the Danare Community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State on 9 June 2026, adding that the situation was swiftly contained and the foreign troops have withdrawn.
In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division Nigerian Army, the military confirmed that troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Danare responded promptly upon receiving notifications of the foreign military presence. The Nigerian troops contacted the appropriate authorities of the Cameroonian Armed Forces, which resulted in the withdrawal of Cameroonian troops from Nigerian territory in line with established border protocols. “Accordingly, the situation was immediately contained without further escalation,” Ayeni said.
The development, which sparked panic among residents of the border community, saw more than 200 armed Cameroonian security personnel cross into Nigerian territory without formal clearance, according to multiple reports. Local sources said the heavily armed officers entered the community in the early hours of the day, triggering fear and confusion. Many residents fled their homes amid concerns that the situation could escalate into a security crisis.
Videos circulating on social media showed scores of Nigerian youths and women confronting the heavily armed soldiers, who allegedly claimed the area fell within Cameroonian jurisdiction. A former Vice Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Hon. Kingsley Mbia, arrived at the scene and urged the soldiers to withdraw, stressing that their presence violated Nigeria’s sovereignty. According to accounts, he confronted the foreign security personnel and cautioned against actions capable of violating Nigeria’s territorial integrity. His intervention was said to have helped calm the situation and prevented any immediate confrontation between the visiting troops and local residents. In some accounts, the Cameroonian soldiers fired several warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd, though no casualties were reported.
Preliminary findings by the Nigerian Army indicate that the incident was triggered by a dispute over the collection of levies on farmland located between Danare Community in Nigeria and Dadi Community in Cameroon. “Preliminary findings indicate that the incident was triggered by a dispute over the collection of levies on farmland located between Danare Community (Nigeria) and Dadi Community (Cameroon),” Ayeni confirmed.
A former member of the Cross River State House of Assembly representing the area, Cletus Obun, confirmed the incident and drew the attention of Nigerian authorities to what he described as incessant incursions by Cameroonian soldiers into border communities. “For them to move into Danare is something that baffles me — all because Nigeria has let down our guard, and Cameroon has taken advantage of it,” Obun lamented. He also faulted Nigerian authorities for what he described as inadequate security presence along the volatile axis, recalling similar incursions recorded in 2017 and 2018 when Cameroonian troops allegedly crossed into Danare while chasing separatist fighters.
The incident has revived memories of previous border tensions rooted in decades-old disputes. Danare lies along Nigeria’s 1,690-kilometre border with Cameroon, a stretch that has been prone to incursions for over two decades. The tensions stem partly from the 2008 handover of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon following a 2002 International Court of Justice ruling. While the peninsula is coastal, the ruling and subsequent Greentree Agreement left several inland communities, including parts of Boki, with contested and poorly demarcated borders. The situation worsened after 2016, when Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions descended into conflict between separatist fighters and government forces, driving thousands of refugees into Cross River and Taraba states. Border communities like Danare have often been caught in the middle.
In furtherance of existing diplomatic and military cooperation, the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division has directed the Commander of the 13 Brigade to engage with his Cameroonian counterpart for further discussions regarding the situation. “This initiative aims to bolster border coordination, clarify operational procedures along the boundary, and avert future incidents,” Ayeni stated.
The Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Beatrice Nyiam, confirmed receiving reports from residents and assured them that the matter was being handled by appropriate security and government authorities. She urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the border community.
The Nigerian Army has urged members of the public to stay calm, carry on with their lawful activities, and avoid disseminating unverified information that could lead to unnecessary tension. “Residents of Danare and surrounding areas are assured that the situation is stable and entirely under control. Troops remain alert and continue to oversee border activities,” the Army statement concluded. The Division reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring the security of all communities along the nation’s borders within its Area of Operations.
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