Cameroon will reinforce security along its border with Nigeria to curb arms smuggling and abductions, a government official said on Thursday.
Bernard Okalia Bilai, governor of the country’s English-speaking region of Southwest where a separatist armed conflict is in progress, said that separatist fighters were using the sea in Ndian division of the region to smuggle weapons into the country.
“We are the gateway into our country through the sea and the exit. This entry and exit point should not become a boulevard for criminals who are carrying weapons, munitions and other military items into our country,” Bilai told reporters while officially installing the new prefect of Ndian division which shares a long and porous border with Nigeria.
The division is notorious for regular clashes between government forces and separatist fighters.
![[FILE] Cameroon’s head coach Rigobert Song (R) oversee a training session of his players including Cameroon’s goalkeeper Andre Onana. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/32UX7QD-preview-e1669645898662-120x86.jpg "‘Onana already becoming big distraction for Cameroon’ 3")
In June, gunmen kidnapped five senior government officials in the division and crossed over to Nigeria. One was killed and the four others are still missing.
“I’m calling on the population to protect civil servants who are coming to serve here. I cannot understand how in a place where people know each other, five divisional delegates are missing and one is killed. We must put an end to that situation,” Bilai added.
Separatist fighters who want to create an independent nation in Cameroon’s two Anglophone regions have been clashing with government forces since 2017.
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![[FILES] A police truck is stationed outside the University of Abuja Staff Quarters gate where unknown gunmen kidnapped people amongst whom were 2 of the university professors, lecturers and their family members in Abuja, Nigeria on November 2, 2021. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/000_9QV77C-897x598-1.jpg "Police, joint operatives rescue abducted Abuja varsity dons, children 6")
