Army intervenes as Cameroonian soldiers enter Cross River community

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that personnel of the Cameroonian Armed Forces unlawfully entered the Danare Community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, but assured residents that the situation was swiftly contained through military and diplomatic engagement.

The incident, which occurred on June 9, 2026, triggered concerns among residents of the border community, prompting an immediate response from troops of the Nigerian Army stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Danare.

In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, the Army disclosed that its troops acted promptly upon receiving reports of the presence of foreign military personnel within Nigerian territory.

According to the statement, military authorities immediately established contact with the appropriate officials of the Cameroonian Armed Forces, leading to the withdrawal of the foreign troops in line with established border management protocols.

“The situation was swiftly contained without any further escalation,” the Army stated.

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Preliminary findings by military authorities revealed that the incident may have been linked to a disagreement over the collection of levies on farmlands located around the border area separating Danare Community in Nigeria and Dadi Community in Cameroon.

The Army noted that the disputed farmlands have historically been used by residents of both communities, making the issue a sensitive cross-border matter requiring careful handling.

To prevent a recurrence and strengthen existing cooperation between both countries, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division has directed the Commander of the 13 Brigade to initiate discussions with his Cameroonian counterpart.

According to the Army, the engagement is expected to deepen military-to-military collaboration, improve border coordination mechanisms, clarify operational procedures along the international boundary, and promote mutual understanding between security forces operating in the area.

“This initiative aims to bolster border coordination, clarify operational procedures along the boundary, and avert future incidents,” the statement said.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting communities located along the nation’s borders.

Residents of Danare and neighbouring settlements were assured that there is no immediate threat to their safety, as security personnel remain deployed and vigilant across the border corridor.

“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 statement added.

The military further appealed to members of the public to remain calm, continue with their lawful activities, and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of heightening tension or creating unnecessary panic within the affected communities.

The incident highlights the challenges associated with managing porous border areas and underscores the importance of sustained diplomatic and security cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon in addressing cross-border disputes and maintaining regional stability.