Bakassi secedes from Nigeria; establishes own flag and radio station

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Published on Saturday, 11 August 2012 13:41

Written by Elombah.com

A seccessionist group known as Bakassi Self-determination Front has set up a radio station at Dayspring Island in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State. The group, which has already hoisted a blue-white-red flag, said its action was meant to ensure the reclamation of the peninsula. Dayspring Island is the only portion of the old

Bakassi Peninsula that was not ceded to Cameroon by Nigeria.

The group has also warned sea travellers to avoid the area on Saturday and Sunday saying they have taken its destiny in its own hands as it declared its independence, almost a decade after International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the oil-rich Bakassi did not belong to Nigeria but Cameroun.

Bakass radio station which began transmitting on August 6 at noon operates on 4.2MHz and 5.2MHz band. 

Commander-General of the BSDF, Ekpe Ekpenyong Oku, said arrangements had been made with some international liberation groups to assist the Bakassi natives in the battle with Cameroun who are sending in troops to quell the declaration of independence by the group. Residences have already been warned to flee so as not to be caught in the cross fire. 

“Please for the umpteenth time, we plead with our people to leave Abana now. The fight is going to be thickest and fiercest now that our brothers from the northern and eastern flanks have fully arrived. Bakassi we hail thee.” Oku said. 

“Throughout history, injured people have had to resort to arms in their self-defence where peaceful negotiations fail. Bakassi people are no exception. Our right to self-determination is imminent; some will die, but some will live to reap from our labour.” he added

The BSDF also warned travellers to keep away from the sea close to Bakassi and the Camerouns between August 11 and 12, as that is when the battle for independence will be fiercest.

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