Two Years After Ambazonia Invasion, Belegete Border Community in Cross River Remains Vulnerable Amid Security Vacuum

By SpringnewsNG Media Limited August 4,2025

Two years after Ambazonia separatist rebels stormed Belegete, a remote border community in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State, the once-thriving settlement remains a shadow of itself. The attack on December 5, 2023, left a traditional ruler and several residents dead, dozens of homes in ashes, and over 1,000 people displaced.

An investigation by The ICIR reveals that roughly 60 percent of displaced residents have yet to return, citing fear of renewed attacks and the absence of security in the area. The community, nestled in the mountainous terrain of the Nigeria-Cameroon border, has become a symbol of neglect, insecurity, and human suffering.

A Community Frozen in Fear

The memories of the invasion remain vivid. Survivors narrate tales of horror—gunfire, rape, arson, and the murder of Chief Francis Ogweshi, whose body was later found in a river after rebels abducted and killed him. Many residents fled into forests, living for months in makeshift shelters without access to food or medical care.

Sunday Ashu, a University of Calabar student from Belegete, captured the psychological toll:
“Our people go to bed at night only to relive that day in their dreams. They eat, if at all, but still taste the ashes of that horror. We breathe and remember the smell of charred bodies on our streets.”

Two years on, the once-bustling community remains desolate. Homes and farms lie in ruins, and hunger stalks survivors. Prices of staple foods have skyrocketed, with a small cup of garri selling for N500.

Displacement and Daily Struggles

Many displaced residents now live as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in nearby communities such as Omana, Otanga, and the Obudu Cattle Ranch axis. Some families, like that of 47‑year‑old Achue Beatrice, still live in surrounding forests after losing their homes.

“This has become our home,” Beatrice said, seated beside a smoking fireplace in the bush. “We sleep on a mat, exposed to mosquitoes and reptiles. We cannot risk going back because the rebels may return anytime.”

Others, like 48‑year‑old widow Maria Akwunda, have chosen permanent relocation. “I lost my husband years ago. After the attack, I was sick and had to be carried for four hours to the hospital. I cannot go back to Belegete,” she said tearfully.

Porous Borders and Security Lapses

The Belegete invasion underscores Nigeria’s fragile border security. The community is accessible only via a rugged 10‑kilometre footpath from Obudu Ranch or a difficult three‑hour motorbike ride from Obanliku. There is no GSM network, making emergency calls impossible, and no permanent military or police presence.

Esalo Anya, the Community Liaison Officer for Obudu Ranch, decried the lack of sustained government response:
“Following the invasion, soldiers came briefly, assessed the situation, and left. We need a permanent security presence and a motorable road to secure the area.”

Local authorities warn that the continued neglect of Belegete could have national security implications. Obanliku LGA Chairman, Sunny Kayang, described the area as “a keg of gunpowder”, warning that without federal intervention, rebels could expand their activities deeper into Nigeria.

Limited Aid and Government Response

In the aftermath of the attack, the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in collaboration with UNHCR and the Red Cross, provided temporary relief in the form of food and clothing. However, funding cuts and poor access have limited sustained support.

Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, admitted that the state faces challenges:
“We deployed soldiers, but the terrain is extremely difficult. The Deputy Governor has engaged Cameroonian authorities to find lasting solutions.”

Yet, two years later, Belegete remains a ghost community—its people scattered, its land abandoned, and its future uncertain. Survivors continue to call for security posts, motorable roads, and resettlement support to rebuild their lives.