The Senate has issued a directive to the Nigerian military to immediately swing into action following the invasion of Manga community in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba state by some suspected Ambazonian fighters from the Republic of Cameroon.
The Upper chamber who noted that the attack undermines the sovereignty of Nigeria urged the military to immediately prevail on the matter.
This was sequel to a point of order raised by the Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. The lawmaker who represents Taraba South, during plenary lamented the invasion and killing of the traditional ruler of the Manga community and other residents by some Ambazonian soldiers.
Some suspected Ambazonian fighters from the Republic of Cameroon had on Wednesday invaded Manga village in Takum LGA.
The Ambazonian fighters were said to have attacked the area in the early hours of Wednesday, leading to the death of the traditional ruler, among several others.
Takum local government area is a border community between Taraba State and the Republic of Cameroon.
Ambazonia, also referred to as the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, is a self-declared country, constituted of the Northwest Region and Southwest Region of Cameroon.
Bwacha who reacted to the incident told the Senate to immediately intervene, saying that the country should be wary of the motive of the separatists group.
In his words, “I rise this morning to draw the attention of our country men and particularly our security agencies to this unfortunate incident which undermines our integrity and sovereignty as a nation.
“Takum local government houses the 23 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, and so Mr. President, it is my humble submission that the Nigerian Army should rise to the challenge and curb this wanton territorial expansion.
“Their (Separatists) motive is yet unknown, whether they want to expand territory or lay claim for Southwest Cameron is not yet clear.
“As I speak, a number of individuals have gone missing and their whereabouts are yet unknown. The village also is razed down.”
Also confirming the incident, Joseph Manga, the brother of the slain traditional ruler and the Senior Special Assistant to the Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, who spoke to the members of the press, said the Ambazonian soldiers first attacked a border community in Cameroon republic before crossing over to Nigeria to unleash mayhem.
He also disclosed that the separatists laid an ambush for his elder brother and murdered him, after which they proceded into the town.
According to him, the death toll from the incident has risen to 11.
In his words, “The Ambazonian separatist soldiers attacked my village Manga which is a border community between Taraba State and Republic of Cameroon in Takum LGA,” he said.
“They, first of all, attacked a village on the other side of the divide and killed people before crossing over to do the same here.
“My elder brother is the traditional ruler there; they laid ambush and killed him in his palace before proceeding to kill others.
“The death toll at the moment is 11 including my brother the traditional ruler, we are still combing the bush to recover more bodies or possibly those hiding.”
However, the Chairman of the Local Government Area, Shiban Tikari, who also confirmed the attack said only five dead bodies have been recovered from the attack.
He also confirmed that the a troop of the Nigerian Army has been deployed to return normalcy to the affected area.
In his words, “I can confirm to you that we have so far recovered 5 bodies from the scene and others are still been sort for in nearby bush.
“My team alongside the military visited to restore normalcy and ensure that such thing does not repeat itself.
“For now we do not know those that came to attack but news filtered in saying that they are Ambazonian separatist soldiers from the Republic of Cameroon.”
