- The border between Nigeria and Cameroon
has been completely reopened for the first
time in three years
- It’s a key sign of progress in the war
against Boko Haram
- The threat of attacks have been greatly
reduced
The border between Nigeria and Cameroon
has been completely reopened for the first
time in three years.
Some Boko Haram members arrested recently
Officials from the two countries met this week
in Yaounde to review security issues as the
terrorist group continues to be decimated by
West African countries.
Cross-border military raids targeting the
Islamist militant group have been greatly
reduced.
"Only a secured environment can provide
avenue for meaningful trade and commercial
activities as well as unimpeded exchange of
goods and services.
"The unflinching cooperation and support of
Cameroon has indeed curtailed the menace of
the Boko Haram sect in all its ramifications.
"Success against Boko Haram will end
movement of refugees across boundaries and
create an enabling environment for the return
and repatriation of internally displaced persons
back to their ancestral lands," General Abba
Mohammad Dikko, the head of the Nigerian
delegation told VOA.
Professor Saibou Issa, a historian and member
of the Cameroon delegation said: "We know
today that thousands of people especially young
men from Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad joined
Boko Haram.
"As progressively Boko Haram attacks are
diminishing, it is maybe time to think about
how the states are going to cope with these
young people.
"There is the challenge of managing the
vigilantes who are contributing a lot in fighting
against Boko Haram."
Cameroon’s northern border areas were hit
hard by the insurgency grounding farming
and trade to a halt.
But Governor Midjiyawa Bakari of the
country's far north region says the area is
slowly returning to life.
He said: "We have been authorized by the
heads of state to open the border between
Nigeria and Cameroon and people are very
happy.
"Schools have been reopened. We have trucks
coming from Maiduguri to N'djamena through
Fotokol, Cameroon, and from Cameroon to
Nigeria and also the cows.”
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has
alerted members of the public of another antic
being employed by Boko Haram members in
their desperation to get at their targets.
The Director of Information, the Defence
Headquarters, Brigadier General Rabe
Abubakar on Tuesday, December 13, warned
Nigerians that the fleeing insurgents have
resorted to disguising as menial workers.
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