Empty threats will not release Idabato D.O- BnL leader

A separatist leader in Bakassi, Princewill Richards who is the founder of the Biafra Nations League, said that the 72 hours ultimatum given by South West governor for the release of the Divisional Officer of Idabato was empty and could put the captive in danger.

“They know what to do for their DO to be freed from detention, when you continue to make empty threats you create more problems.” He said in a statement to local online news.

The BnL who said he was on sick leave, noted that he wasn’t aware of the incident but when he returned he was told what happened.

He noted that the October 1 incident was not a kidnap case because Biafran fighters do not kidnap but arrest.

He had earlier hinted that to a source which CNA gathered, that those who kidnapped the D.O and Council Accountant of Idabato, were members of the Dragon Fighters Marine, but insisted that they do not kidnap.

Mr. Princewill made allusion to tax and Nigerians living in Bakassi, confirming what Governor Okalia Billai had said about the reason for the abduction.

“First, we asked them severally to withdraw completely from Bakassi, stop oil exploitation, and also not to force our people to pay tax to them as against the greentree agreement, even though the agreement was between them and Nigeria, they’re forcing our people to become their citizens which is also against the greentree agreement, when one party continues to violate an agreement the people will take laws into their hands.”

Since October 1, 2024, Ewane Roland and one other person were kidnapped and taken to Nigeria.

The Cameroon government has been working with Nigerian Consulate in Cameroon to secure the release of the victims.