Republic of Cameroon’s Consul, Onana Patrice, on Thursday, raised the alarm that terrorist groups from Nigeria are assisting Ambazonia rebels in his country to procure and smuggle arms.
He alleged that secessionists, terrorists and Ambazonian rebels in his country are taking advantages of the vast land and sea borders between Nigeria and Cameroon as well as the two neighbouring countries’ strong socio-cultural affinities to smuggle arms into the latter.
Patrice raised the alarm when he paid a courtesy visit to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone six in Calabar, AIG Jonathan Towuru.
The envoy appealed for more collaborations in the areas of intelligence sharing to beef up security as Cameroon began preparations for another presidential election.
Patrice also alleged that cyber criminals were using social media to advertise fake job opportunities in Nigeria to heighten security threats through unfounded social media publications.
He however expressed appreciation for the job done by the National Joint Border Task Force, adding that his request for security support would boost the littoral and land border communities within the Zone ahead of next year’s presidential election.
The envoy identified other common security issues around the border communities and informed the AIG and his management team that his visit was to strengthen the collaboration between the two neighbouring countries towards addressing the security challenges along the border communities.
While welcoming the Consul and his team, AIG Towuru assured him of the police’s resolve to ensure adequate protection of lives and property of citizens and foreigners in Nigeria.
He promised to overhaul the security architecture of the zone to check the activities of criminals in the border communities of Oron, Ibaka, Bakassi, Etung, Boki, among others in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in line with the policing policy of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to reduce trans-border crimes for the safety of all.
AIG Towuru urged the people of the zone to report criminals to the police to enhance security.
