More than 600 militants on Friday asked
the Federal Government to reclaim the
ceded Bakassi Peninsular from Cameroon.
The armed group, referred to as Bakassi
Strike Force, said apart from not being
carried along before, during and after the
ceding process, the indigenes of Bakassi
have neglected by the Federal Government
and other local and international
stakeholders.
The militants, also known as Esighi group,
had a one-hour boat display with heavy
weapons around Esighi axis of Bakassi,
before proceeding to Esuk-Mba.
In a sheer display to its combat readiness,
the group brandished weapons such as
sophisticated gun boats, Browning machine
gun, rocket launchers, among others.
While admitting that they would be ready
to embrace amnesty if extended to them,
leader of the group, General Simply, also
known as Humble Lion, said the people of
Cross River and Akwa Ibom states have
been sidelined by the Federal Government
in the amnesty programme.
Simply, who read from a prepared speech,
said, “The Bakassi Strike Force is an
indigenous group made up of youths from
Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, totalling
642 foot soldiers.
You will agree with me that Akwa Ibom
and Cross River states are part of the
Niger Delta region, yet we have been
completely sidelined from the amnesty
scheme and other empowerment
programmes for the youth of the area.
“Yet it will interest you to note that it is in
Obubra, Cross River State that the team of
Niger Delta militants was hosted, when
states such as Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Edo
and Ondo refused to host the rehabilitation
camp for the militants.
“Again, the Federal Government took away
our oil rich Bakassi from us and handed
over to Cameroon. We as indigenes and
habitants were not consulted before this
was done, neither were there any
constitutional resettlement process
initiated for the displaced persons.
“To make matters worse, after taking over
our land, the Cameroonian forces began to
harass and molest our people. They even
levied us with heavy taxes which became
entirely unbearable.
“Therefore, when it became obvious after
several petitions that the federal and state
governments were not ready to protect us
and even the United Nations, we invited
our Ijaw brothers who were already in the
arms struggle to resist the Cameroonian
operatives, but unfortunately, they
embraced Federal Government amnesty
programme when it was offered and
abandoned us.
“As indigenous youths, we have no other
option than rise to defend and defend
ourselves from the operations and injustice
from the Cameroonian forces. The Federal
Government should reclaim Bakassi from
Cameroon.”
Source: Vanguard ngr
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