Unauthorised incursion of foreign military in Cross River under control – Nigerian army

The Nigerian Army, through its 82 Division, has acknowledged concerns regarding the unauthorized entry of personnel from the Cameroonian Armed Forces into the Danare Community within the Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State on 9 June 2026.

In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, it was reported that troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Danare responded promptly upon receiving notifications of foreign military presence.

They reached out to the appropriate authorities of the Cameroonian Armed Forces, which resulted in the withdrawal of Cameroonian troops from Nigerian territory, adhering to established border protocols.

“Consequently, the situation was swiftly contained without any further escalation,” the statement indicated.

Additionally, preliminary investigations suggest that the incident was instigated by a dispute concerning the collection of levies on farmland situated between the Danare Community in Nigeria and the Dadi Community in Cameroon.

Furthermore, to enhance existing diplomatic and military collaboration and as a measure to build confidence, the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division has instructed the Commander of the 13 Brigade to engage with his Cameroonian counterpart for further discussions regarding the situation.

“This initiative aims to bolster border coordination, clarify operational procedures along the boundary, and avert future incidents,” it further stated.

The Division reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring the security of all communities along the nation’s borders within its Area of Operations.

“Residents of Danare and surrounding areas are assured that the situation is stable and entirely under control. Troops remain alert and continue to oversee border activities,” it concluded.

The Army urged the public to stay calm, carry on with their lawful activities, and avoid disseminating unverified information that could lead to unnecessary tension.