Senate sets up ad hoc committee to probe Cameroon’s ‘encroachment’ on Nigeria’s oil wells

The senate has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate Cameroon’s alleged encroachment on Nigeria’s territory.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the committee’s composition during plenary on Tuesday after most senators supported it through voice votes.

The committee is expected to report back to the senate within two months with recommendations.

The committee is to be headed by Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo south. Members are Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa west senator, and Ipalibo Banigo, senator representing Rivers west.

Others are Adeniyi Adegbonmire, senator representing Ondo central; Shehu Kaka, senator representing Borno central; Agom Jarigbe, Cross River central senator; and Ekong Samson, senator representing Akwa Ibom south.

Aniekan Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-west, who sponsored the motion, is also a member of the committee.

The motion was titled: ‘Illegal annexation of Nigerian mangrove islands, waters, and its crude oil by the republic of Cameroon’.

Bassey, in his motion brought under orders 41 and 51 of senate standing rules, said the areas annexed were not part of the territory ceded to Cameroon.

He said the encroachment has led to the loss of over 2,560 oil wells and gas revenues. 

“It is an affront on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s economic resources,” he said.

“The illegal occupation of these villages and waters by Cameroon contravenes the ICJ ruling, the 1913 Anglo-German treaties, and sections of the Nigerian Constitution.

“This is a direct assault on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and an unlawful exploitation of our economic resources.”

Contributing to the motion, Ibrahim said Nigeria must report the issue to the United Nations.

“The senate cannot keep quiet when there’s a threat to the sovereignty of our country,” he said.

“There is a violation of our territorial rights, and this can cause environmental disaster and reduce national revenue.”

Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, said Nigeria should enforce the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the mangrove islands.

He added that Nigeria cannot be a beneficiary of the judgment and not enforce it.

“Let us act fast and recover our territory with over 2,000 oil wells,” he said.

Other lawmakers who spoke on the motion were Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president; Abdul Ningi, Bauchi central senator; and Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River south.

The committee is expected to engage with key stakeholders, including the National Boundary Commission (NBC), the ministry of foreign affairs, and security agencies.