Why we close nation s border with Cameroon

The authorities of the Defence Headquarters have
explained why the military decided to close the
nation’s border with Cameroun in Adamawa State.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen
Chris Olukolade, said in a telephone interview with
our correspondent on Monday that the decision
was not unilaterally taken by the military.
Olukolade explained that both the Nigerian and
Camerounian authorities were fully involved in the
decision to close the border.

He said it became necessary to close the border
because the insurgents were exploiting the
mountains and forest in the area to launch attacks
on innocent Nigerian villages.
He said the terrain provided an easy cover for the
insurgents to strike and escape by mingling with
the people and legitimate migrants in the area.
Olukolade said while there was a standing joint
patrol between Cameroun and Nigeria along the
border, troops were intensifying patrol of the
Nigerian side of the border.
He said, “The border has been closed since
weekend. That area has not only been a safe
haven for these people, the terrain makes it easy
for them to escape by mingling with the people
and legitimate migrants.
“The mountains and the forests are easy access
for them, the tendency to use the mountains for
their operation informed the action.
“Both authorities are in contact and they are aware
of the development.
“We have a standing joint patrol, which had been
there before this operation; the situation demands
more than that now. We are patrolling our own
side of the border and we feel that we should
restrict movement in our own side of the border.”