Ex-lawmaker, police, army disagree on alleged killings by Cameroonian separatists in Cross River

Alleged attack in Bashu community in Boki Council of Cross River State by Ambazonian militants from Cameroon has reportedly left many motorcyclists dead.

The cyclists were allegedly killed, yesterday morning, when they tried to convey fleeing Camerounians away from the battleground.

Confirming the attack, former member of Cross River State House of Assembly, Chief Cletus Obun, described it as an unfortunate incident.

He said: “The Ambazonian soldiers shot them when the boys rode their bikes to help convey fleeing Cameroonians, especially elderly women, from the community where the Ambazonian militants killed no fewer than 20, yesterday, for refusing to join them to fight President Paul Biya’s government.”

In the same vein, Deputy Leader of Biafra National League (BnL), Ebuta Takon, confirmed the attack but said the attack was against their fellow Ambazonians, who fled from the battleground. He condemned the invasion of Cross River State in the process.

“We are giving them five days, just five days for their leaders to apologise to us and Cross Riverians,” he said.
BUT the Police Command in Cross River denied the killings.

Describing it as spurious the Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, in a statement, yesterday, advised residents to disregard the claims, insisting that they were not true.

The statement reads: “The attention of Cross River State Police Command has been drawn to spurious claim that militants of Ambazonia, a separatist group in South West Cameroon, have killed at least 20 people in Boki Council of Cross River State.

“The command hereby advises members of the public to disregard this information currently trending in social media platforms, as it is subversive. Measures are being taken to review the source of this distasteful information intended to spread fear and panic.

ALSO, the Nigerian Army, through its spokesman, Brig.-General Onyema Nwachukwu, debunked the attack.

He said: “Contrary to the misinformation, troops deployed at Danare received information on Sunday morning about the said attack. The troops immediately mobilised to Bashu community, which was allegedly under attack.

“On their arrival, it was revealed that Bashu was not under attack and no external incursion was recorded; rather, the separatists attacked Obonyi 2 and Njasha, both of which are communities located in the Republic of Cameroun.”

“Four victims of the attack, who crossed over to Nigerian territory were later rescued by our troops and operatives of Nigerian Immigration Services. The attack was therefore not within Nigerian territory as claimed. Members of the public are enjoined to disregard the unsubstantiated information and not panic.”