Authorities in Cameroon have arrested five Nigerian pastors and several other residents from the Idabato II community, located in the former Bakassi Peninsula, following a kidnapping incident involving a local official.
The arrests, which took place after the October 1 abduction of Divisional Officer Ewane Roland, have sparked fears and frustrations among Nigerians in the area.
According to Eniola Alabo, a former chairman of the Yoruba community in the defunct Bakassi Peninsula, the detention of the Nigerians was prompted by the Cameroonian government’s accusation that individuals from the area were involved in Roland’s abduction.
Roland, along with council official Etongo Ismaeil, was kidnapped by armed men using a flying boat, as reported by local media.
In the wake of the kidnapping, the Cameroonian government deployed soldiers to Idabato II, accusing Nigerians of complicity in the abduction.
Alabo described a chaotic scene as the Gendarmerie arrived in the community, firing shots into the air during their raid. The action led to panic among local residents, particularly Nigerians, who were left in fear of further violence.
Among those arrested were several Nigerians, including Iseoluwa Eniola, Feran Ajimosun, Idowu Ajimosun, Abiola Ajimosun, Blessing Ajimosun, Sunny Bassey, Feran Samagbeyi, and Godwin. The arrests have left many families in the community distressed and uncertain of their loved ones’ fate.
On October 8, 2024, Cameroon’s South-West Governor Bernard Okalia visited Idabato II, where he imposed a total lockdown on the area, largely populated by Nigerian fishermen.
Shops, churches, and other businesses were shut down, and Governor Okalia issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the community to produce Roland alive.
In a statement, Okalia declared, “All shops are closed… the churches are closed till further notice. No exit, no entry in this whole Idabato.”
The lockdown caused severe economic hardship for the Nigerian residents, many of whom rely on fishing for their livelihood.
Alabo noted that residents defied the lockdown in early November due to hunger, leading to a wave of frustration and anger among both Nigerians and Cameroonian authorities.
As a result, soldiers were sent back to the community on November 10 and 11, 2024, to arrest additional Nigerians and disperse those defying the restrictions.
During this period, several Nigerian pastors were detained by the Cameroonian military. Churches, which had remained closed due to the lockdown, had resumed services in early November. This prompted an aggressive response from the soldiers, who raided the Assembly Church of God in Idabato II.
Pastors Adeleke Omoniye, Cascar Ubom, Etim Asuquo, Olamide Ayeye, and Umoh Atete were arrested and reportedly taken to unknown locations.
While there were claims that the pastors were eventually released, their whereabouts remained uncertain, with one community leader, identified as Johnson, expressing concerns about their safety.
As the situation remains volatile, many Nigerians in Idabato II have fled to nearby communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in Nigeria.
Alabo confirmed that the forced relocation and harsh conditions have heightened tensions in the region, leaving many in fear for their lives.
“We are in panic,” said another local source, who emphasized the diversity of the Nigerian population in Idabato, which includes Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Efik ethnic groups.
The ongoing crisis highlights the growing friction between Nigerian residents and Cameroonian authorities in the border area, leaving many to wonder about the future of the Idabato II community.
