Five Nigerian pastors and other residents of Idabato II in the Bakassi Peninsula, now under Cameroonian control, have been detained by Cameroonian authorities following the October abduction of the area’s Divisional Officer, Ewane Roland.
The incident, which escalated tensions in the region, has left Nigerians in the community facing economic hardship, forced relocations, and a tragic loss of life during a government-imposed lockdown.
Abduction Sparks Crackdown
The trouble began on October 1, 2024, when gunmen abducted Roland and a council official, Etongo Ismaeil, using a flying boat in the coastal area. Cameroonian authorities swiftly blamed Nigerians for the incident and deployed soldiers to Idabato II, where they reportedly fired shots into the air and detained several Nigerians, including prominent community members.
One Nigerian leader, Eniola Alabo, told Hobnob News that the sudden raid left residents in panic. “The Gendarmerie stormed the area, creating chaos, and arrested Nigerians indiscriminately,” Alabo said.
Lockdown and Economic Devastation
In response to the abduction, Cameroon’s South-West Governor, Bernard Okalia, locked down the entire Idabato community on October 8, declaring all shops and churches closed. Residents were prohibited from leaving or entering the area and were given a 72-hour ultimatum to produce the missing official.
The lockdown paralyzed the community’s economy, forcing many Nigerians, mostly fishermen, into hunger and despair. Despite the restrictions, locals defied the order by resuming fishing activities in early November. This move provoked further action from Cameroonian soldiers, who raided the area on November 10 and 11, injuring several Nigerians and arresting more residents, including five pastors.
Pastors Detained in Church Raids
During the lockdown, churches remained closed until residents resumed normal activities, prompting services to restart. However, soldiers invaded the Assembly Church of God and detained five Nigerian pastors—Adeleke Omoniye, Cascar Ubom, Etim Asuquo, Olamide Ayeye, and Umoh Atete—for violating orders against gatherings.
Community leader Johnson revealed that the pastors were taken to undisclosed locations. “We heard rumors of their release, but no one has seen them,” he said, adding that many Nigerians have since fled to neighboring Akwa Ibom and Cross River states for safety.
A Tragic Loss
The lockdown also led to the preventable death of a Nigerian woman, Esther Okon, on October 20. After giving birth, she suffered complications but could not access medical care due to movement restrictions. A two-hour speedboat trip to a hospital in Akwa Ibom could have saved her life. Her body was later repatriated to Nigeria after her husband signed necessary documents.
Tax Disputes and Diplomatic Inaction
Adding to the tension, Cameroonian authorities accused Nigerians in Idabato of tax evasion, though residents have shown receipts for annual “global tax” payments. Allegations of mismanagement in the tax system have further strained relations between the communities.
Efforts by Nigerian leaders to involve the Consulate-General of Cameroon and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have yielded no results. According to Hobnob News, both governments appear unresponsive to the escalating crisis.
Historical Context and Ongoing Struggles
The Bakassi Peninsula, awarded to Cameroon by the International Court of Justice in 2002, has remained contentious. Although some Nigerians relocated to coastal areas in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, over 50,000 Nigerians still reside in Idabato, considering it their ancestral home.
For now, the fate of the detained pastors and the peace of the troubled region remain uncertain as residents call for urgent intervention to ease their plight.
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