The South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, seems to have realised diplomacy is better than threats. He has shifted strategies in the ongoing crisis involving the kidnapping of the Divisional Officer of Idabato, Ewane Roland. After initially issuing threats, he met with the Nigerian consul for the South West and North West regions to devise a diplomatic approach to secure the D.O.’s release.
Pirates, believed to be from Nigeria, reportedly kidnapped Roland on October 1, and he has remained in captivity since. The governor has maintained that the D.O. is being held in Nigeria. He has, however, failed to provide any evidence to support this statement. After visiting Idabato in the Indian Division, he set a 72-hour deadline for the D.O.’s release, but that time has passed without any progress.
In his initial response, Governor Okalia Bilai asserted that Nigerians who make up “95% of Idabato” were complicit in the “kidnapping” of the D.O. The D.O. faced targeting because of his efforts to combat tax evasion and illegal activities allegedly linked to some Nigerian businesspeople in the area.
Shift to Diplomacy
On Tuesday, October 15, the communication department of the Southwest Governor’s office announced a meeting involving “officials from the Defence and Security sectors and a delegation from the Nigerian Consulate, led by His Excellency Ambassador Taofik Obasanjo Coker, Nigeria’s Consul General for the North West and South West regions.”
The governor’s office described the diplomatic discussions, which lasted approximately 30 to 40 minutes, as an opportunity for collaboration on the issue. Following the meeting, Ambassador Coker addressed the media, stating, “We have asked the Governor to inform us of any updates regarding this situation,” while reassuring reporters of Nigeria’s commitment “to resolving the crisis.”
The specific strategies being implemented to secure the release of the DO are not known. The meeting reportedly took place behind closed doors at the governor’s office in Buea.
In images from the meeting, Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai appeared visibly unhappy, maintaining a serious demeanour. Meanwhile, activities in Idabato remain shut down as ordered by the D.O.
