News
Border dispute: UN lauds Nigeria, Cameroon for implementing ICJ’s ruling
The United Nations has commended the Republics of Nigeria and Cameroon for their commitments toward implementing the International Court of Justice (ICJ’s) ruling on their border dispute.
Leonardo Simão, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, said this while speaking at the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Simão, therefore, described the development as a significant step toward promoting regional peace and cooperation.
“I commend both countries for their commitment to a peaceful resolution, which has been pivotal in fostering stability in the Lake Chad region,” he said.
Simão also said that the peaceful implementation of the ICI’s ruling had further contributed to regional stability and facilitated efforts to support affected populations, promote sustainable development, and enhance social cohesion.
He praised the role of the Lake Chad Basin member states and governors in fostering cross-border collaboration to achieve lasting peace and economic recovery.
“I acknowledge the efforts invested by the governors and member states over the years to foster inclusiveness and collaboration across borders in the quest for sustainable peace and development in the Lake Chad area.
“While efforts to combat terrorism have begun yielding positive results, new challenges have emerged, demanding sustained and focused attention from all stakeholders,” Simão said.
He,however, called on Lake Chad Basin countries to fully take ownership of the Adjusted Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery, and Resilience, which was designed to guide future interventions in the region.
“In this regard, I welcome the proposal to adjust the Territorial Action Plan as a key mechanism for advancing the regional strategy at national and local levels,” he stated.
Simão ssured that the UN, through its Resident Coordinators and country teams, would remain a key partner in ensuring a coordinated and sustainable approach to stabilisation.
“We must ensure that the implementation of the Territorial Stabilisation Strategy remains people-centric at all levels,” he said.
Also speaking, Anunna Eziakonwa, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Regional Director for Africa, called for stronger regional cooperation.
Eziakonwa expressed optimism that the region could address its challenges through stronger regional cooperation, inclusive governance, and increased investment in climate resilience.
“We are gathered here at a time when this region has witnessed the fury of nature,” she said.
The envoy, however, extended her condolences to the people of Borno in Nigeria and the people of Marwa in Cameroon who were severely affected by recent devastating floods.
Eziakonwa said that the floods serve as a stark reminder of the intensifying impact of climate change and the urgent need for collective action to build resilience and mitigate future risks.
The envoy lauded the progress made under the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery, and Resilience, noting that communities that were once engulfed in conflict were beginning to rebuild.
“Communities that were once in despair now dare to walk again.
“These strides represent not only our collective determination but also the extraordinary strength of the people and governments of the Lake Chad Basin,” Eziakonwa said.
Despite these achievements, the envoy warned that the region remained the centre of multiple crises, including protracted insecurity and forced displacement.
“Recent flooding in Borno State and northern Cameroon has pushed countless families into displacement, further stripping already vulnerable communities of their stability,” Eziakonwa said.
The envoy also said that the humanitarian crisis in Chad was caused by conflicts in the neighbouring regions, adding that millions of displaced people have placed immense pressure on resources and stability in the Lake Chad Basin.
“These challenges are not just statistics; they are lived realities.
“The story of a courageous mother in Nigeria who risked everything to protect her daughters from violence is a reminder of the resilience of this region’s people, which must drive us to act with urgency and purpose,” Eziakonwa said.
The envoy called for a paradigm shift in how stabilisation efforts were approached, urging regional leaders to focus on inclusion, accountability, and sustainable solutions.
“Governance must be strengthened, youth and women must be empowered, and climate adaptation must be accelerated.
“By investing in people and communities, we lay the foundation for lasting peace and stability,” Eziakonwa said.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.