Members of the Biafra Strike Force Displaying arms
The International Court of Justice ruling over Bakassi was one of those rare court judgments that did not lead to the immediate application of the court’s decision.
Instead since October 10, 2002 when the court delivered its judgment, a series of negotiations were opened to work on the implementation face which has faced serious obstacles especially from local militant groups of the greater Niger Delta area and the peninsular itself.
Recently, another militant group added its voice to the call for the Nigerian government to re-annex the oil-rich land and maritime territory.
While displaying their military hardware last Friday, comprising of various brands of ammunition, Biafra Strike Force called on the government of the Republic of Nigeria to reclaim Bakassi from Cameroon or face the wrath of their arms.
In the public show of strength, the group’s leader, a certain “General” Simple who also goes by the name Humble Lion decried the neglect of the people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states by the Nigerian government in the amnesty program where militants were encouraged to drop arms for lucrative kickbacks.
However, the “General’s” main point of focus was the ceding of Bakassi rich oil peninsular to Cameroon which the group claimed the people living in the area, who are mostly Nigerians were never consulted, The Daily Post of Nigeria reported.
To the Biafra Strike Force, the relinquishing of Bakassi to Cameroon has made life unbearable for their people since the Cameroonian Army which is now in control has never stopped harassing them. They said the indigenes are being regularly levied heavy taxes and that despite several appeals to the government in Nigeria, nothing has been done to address the situation.
According to the group, “as indigenous youths” they have no other option but to defend the rights of their people against what they called “injustices from the Cameroonian forces.”
Much is not known of the Biafra Strike Force even though its leader, “General” Simple claimed to have about 642 foot soldiers while making the public show at Esighi axis of Bakassi, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Since Cameroon gained total control of Bakassi in August 2013, there have been several complains from Nigerians accusing Cameroonian authorities and especially soldiers of high handedness and harassment.
In December 2014, there was a Cameroon military crackdown against Nigerians suspected of evading taxes. The Nigerians continue to wonder why despite paying taxes to the council, Cameroon taxation officers continue to show up demanding same taxes and even Police officers too, they said.
In a statement released in October 2012, the Federal Government of Nigeria decided not to pursue any appeal of the ICJ verdict as it would be “more damaging to the country diplomatically.”
This was a confirmation of the Greentree Agreement signed by Cameroon and Nigeria in 2006 where both governments greed to stand by the court’s decision.
