Why We Closed Border With Cameroon-Army

The Army has announced the closure of hundreds of kilometres of Nigeria’s north-eastern border with Cameroon because of the Boko Haram menace. According to the Nigerian Army, the closure is aimed at stopping members of the insurgents from using Cameroon as a safe haven, and base for attacks.

Speaking to journalists the Brigade Commander of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rogers said that he was exercising emergency powers because it is “imperative” to seal the border between Cameroon and Adamawa state against the illegal crossings.

Brig-Gen. Rogers said customs and immigration officials are working with soldiers and police “to ensure that nothing crosses into Nigeria.” Nigeria’s borders are notoriously porous, and large stretches are generally left without border patrols. Last month, soldiers from the army and an Air Force bomber crossed into Cameroon last month in pursuit of extremists.