A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, Pius Abang, has urged authorities to act swiftly over an alleged incursion by Cameroonian soldiers into Danare Community in Cross River.

Mr Abang made the remark in an interview with journalists in Calabar on Thursday, while reacting to the incursion into the Danare community in the Boki Local Government Area of the state.

He said Nigeria should not be exposed to another territorial loss similar to the Bakassi experience.

“I call on the federal government, Cross River government and lawmakers representing the area to urgently address the situation and reassure residents of their safety.

“I urged emergency agencies to provide relief materials and conduct solidarity visits to the affected community to ease growing fears,” Mr Abang said.

In a statement, the Nigerian Army said it responded swiftly after reports of a foreign military presence emerged on Wednesday.

The statement signed by Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, acting deputy director, Army public relations, 82 Division, said troops at the Forward Operating Base, Danare, promptly responded.

Mr Ayeni said contact with relevant Cameroonian authorities led to the immediate withdrawal of the troops in line with established border protocols.

He added that preliminary findings linked the incident to a dispute over levies on farmland located between the Danare Community in Nigeria and the Dadi Community in Cameroon.

The Army reassured residents that the situation was calm and under control, while efforts were underway to strengthen border coordination and prevent future occurrences.

(NAN)