The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate an alleged illegal annexation of Mbo Mangrove Island in Akwa Ibom State by the Republic of Cameroon.
The Island, which falls within Nigeria’s territory and separated from the Bakassi peninsula is said to have been taken over by Cameroonian Gendarmes who now police the Island and exploit mineral resources in the area on behalf of Cameroon .
Sponsor of the motion, Robinson Uwak (PDP), Akwa Ibom); claimed the Island which hosts the Effiat clan and 16 villages of Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was currently under the administrative control of the Republic of Cameroon.
He explained that the island boasts of 350 oil wells and copious fishing routes, lamenting that Cameroonians now enjoyed the resources at the expense of Nigeria.
He submitted: “As a result of the illegal occupation of the Island by the Republic of Cameroon, oil and gas revenues which should accrue to the Nigerian Government are lost to the Republic of Cameroon.
“Cognizant of March 11, 1993 Anglo-German treaties that lay this Island firmly within Nigerian Territory, as the Island lays West of the Rio Del Ray Estuary, which serves as the official border line between Nigeria and Cameroon as re-affirmed by the International Court of Justice judgment on October 10, 2002.”
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