Reps probe ‘killing of 97 Nigerians’ in Bakassi

The house of representatives on Thursday resolved to probe the alleged killing of 97 Nigerians in the ceded Bakassi peninsula.

The killing was said to have been carried out by Cameroon security forces  while enforcing a fishing levy.

The decision of the house to investigate the alleged killing was sequel to a motion sponsored by Babatunde Kolawole, a lawmaker from Ondo state.

While moving the motion on the floor of the house on Thursday, Kolawole said the the killing contravened the Green Tree agreement which provided for the protection of Nigeria’s citizens in the ceded area.

“Last week, there were several media reports that 97 Nigerians have been killed in Bakassi by Cameroonian gendarmes. This is because they could not afford a N100,000 levied on each fishing boat,” he said.

“This is in spite of the clauses in the Green Tree Agreement signed between Nigerian and Cameroonian governments which protect our citizens in the ceded areas from harm.

“Apart from these recent attacks, there had been reports of harassment, rape and killings of Nigerians by the gendarmes over the years with the Nigerian government seemingly doing little or nothing to stop it.

“If nothing is done to stop this ugly development, other Nigerian lives would be at risk as the gendarmes may continue to kill Nigerians at will without fear of recriminations.”

The lawmaker said as a responsible parliament they could “not sit and watch while the lives of our citizens are wasted with impunity”.

The house adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote by Yakubu Dogara, the speaker.

Also, Abdulrahman Dambazau, minister for interior, has accused Cameroon of breaching the agreement to protect its citizens.