The Cross River State Deputy Governor Hon Peter Odey, has expressed sadness at the recent abduction and eventual death of a traditional ruler by some Ambazonian separatist militants from Southern Cameroon in Belegete Community.
Chief Ogweshi Francis, the village head of Akornyapeni village Belegete was reported killed on Saturday few days after his abduction.
Belegete village is one of the mountain communities in Cross River State bordering Cameroon in Obanliku LGA, Northern Senatorial District, South South Nigeria.
Hon. Odey who shared his feelings with a visiting team from the Ministry of Interior on Monday, called on the Federal Government to ensure that Renewed Hope is felt by all Nigerians including those in border communities.
He said Cross River State has four international borders and currently hosts 52,000 Cameroonian refugees, the highest in Nigeria.
“One major challenge faced by the state has been the large influx of refugees who come in their drones,” Odey said.
While expressing regret that some of the clashes in border communities were the result of identity, he said Nigerians who are in such communities deserve to be recognized by their own Governmment.
Mrs. Comfort Kabirwa, on her part said that their strategy for tackling the problems in border communities will include the use of technology and trending best practices.
Mrs. Kabirwa,who is the Team Lead of the Integrated Border Governance and Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Interior, said the purpose of their visit was to identify the problems on site in order to proffer solutions.
“The ministry was ready to move with the rest of the world in its modus of handling problems,” she explained.”
According to her, the communities remained at the receiving end of these challenges hence, the need for an inter-ministerial committee.
She assured that the Hon Minister of Interior promise that there will be more visible government presence in border communities.
Other members of the team who spoke Including Comptroller S. A. Agba, of immigration service said the visit will provide information that could lead to the establishment of outposts for various security agencies to regulate migration and immigration.