Again the Biafran separatists militant group has struck at Bakassi Peninsula in the Gulf of Guinea killing two.
Between September 11and October 16, 2023, Pillar Today gathered that not less than seven attacks or clashes have been recorded in the Bakassi Peninsula controlled by Cameroon and about 22 persons mostly of the Cameroonian Military unit of the Rapid d’intervention Battalions (BIR) may have lost their lives.
In this latest incident on October 16, an eyewitness report said the separatist militants Black Marine had attacked an oil vessel in the peninsula and the process clashed with the Cameroonian BIR in Idabato subdivision of Bakassi Peninsula.
Two crew members of the oil vessel were reportedly killed from the exchange of gunfire between Black Marine and the Cameroonian BIR in the area.
It was further gathered that the incident which happened at about 1pm on Monday left two separatists injured and five BIR members in critical condition.
Black Marine, is a dreaded militant group linked to the Biafra Nations League (BnL), is said to have opened fire on the BIR in an attempt to intercept an oil vessel they were accompanying to the maritime border where Nigeria and Cameroon drill their oil.
Eye witness account told Pillar Today that the militant group drove with two speed boats and first opened fire on the military, forcing the BIR to retaliate.
The Biafra Nations League, BnL, whose operational base is in Bakassi Peninsula and Cameroonian have been battling for control of the region since it’s warning asking external forces including Nigeria and Cameroon to stay clear from the territory.
Commenting, the BnL Leader, Princewill Richards who is happy with the various attacks, said “the fly that does not hear a word follows the corpse to the grave. I won’t sue for peace”
Meanwhile, two days ago, the 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar had launched ‘Exercise Still Waters 3′ at Ikang in Bakassi Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River state in South South Nigeria apperently to checkmate criminal activities in the area.
Flagging-off the ceremony, the Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier Gen. E.I. Okoro said that the exercise was part of Nigerian Army’s schedule of activities for the nation in the year 2023 as the exercise would help the Army bring down the incidence of kidnapping, sea piracy, and other forms of criminality taking place along the state’s maritime.
