BREAKING NEWS REPORT: Escalating Tensions in the Biafra War of Attrition

August 18, 2025, By Nnamdi Iheukwumere

Location: Abana, Bakassi Peninsula & Okigwe, Nigeria

The volatile situation in the Bakassi Peninsula and Okigwe has escalated, marking a significant intensification in the ongoing Biafra War of Attrition. Recent violent clashes involving Biafran separatist groups, Cameroonian forces, and Nigerian military units have resulted in casualties and heightened regional tensions, underscoring the persistent conflict over territorial control and separatist ambitions in the region.

Incident in Abana, Bakassi Peninsula

On August 16, 2025, Cameroonian forces, described by Biafran sources as "terrorist forces," opened fire on a Biafran meeting in the Abana area of the Bakassi Peninsula. The attack resulted in one fatality and three injuries among the Biafran attendees. The motive behind the Cameroonian intervention remains unclear, though it is likely linked to ongoing disputes over control of the resource-rich Bakassi Peninsula.

In response, the Biafran naval wing, known as the Black Marine—an armed faction affiliated with the Biafra Nations League (BnL)—was mobilized for a rapid response and rescue operation. The Black Marine engaged the Cameroonian Rapid d’Intervention Battalions (BIR), reportedly killing three Cameroonian soldiers and injuring several others. The fierce counterattack forced the Cameroonian forces to withdraw from the Abana area, temporarily ceding control to the Biafran separatists. This incident follows a pattern of violence in the region, with previous clashes reported in March 2023, October 2023, and December 2024, where Biafran militants, including the Black Marine and Dragon Fighter Marine, have repeatedly targeted Cameroonian forces.

The Black Marine’s operational coordinator, Henry Edet, had previously urged restraint in Abana, but the latest attack appears to have reignited hostilities. The BnL leadership, including Princewill Chimezie Richards, has reiterated their claim over Bakassi, declaring, “Biafra has come to stay in Bakassi, not even Cameroon can stop us.” This rhetoric underscores the separatists’ determination to assert influence in the peninsula, which they view as part of their envisioned Biafran territory.

Clashes in Okigwe, Imo State

Simultaneously, in Okigwe, Imo State, the Biafran Liberation Army (BLA) engaged Nigerian forces in a firefight along the Okigwe Expressway. The BLA, a separatist militia, reportedly repelled an advance by Nigerian military units, though specific casualty figures remain unverified. Commander Gentle, a prominent BLA figure, had recently issued warnings about Nigerian government plans to escalate tensions in the region, framing the conflict as part of a broader campaign of state-sponsored violence against the Igbo people and Biafran separatists.

The Okigwe clash follows a reported Nigerian military siege in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, which began on July 31, 2025, and intensified on August 3, 2025. The BLA and other pro-Biafra groups view these military operations as attempts to suppress their movement for self-determination, echoing grievances from the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), also known as the Biafran War, which claimed millions of lives due to conflict and famine.

The Bakassi Peninsula has been a contentious region since the 1990s, when Cameroon and Nigeria disputed its ownership due to its significant oil and gas reserves. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Cameroon’s favor in 2002, and the peninsula was formally transferred in 2008 under the Greentree Agreement. However, many local residents, predominantly ethnic Igbos who identify with Biafra, opposed the transfer, fueling separatist movements like the BnL and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). These groups seek to establish an independent Biafran state, encompassing parts of southeastern Nigeria and the Bakassi Peninsula.

The Biafra War of Attrition refers to ongoing low-intensity conflicts aimed at asserting Biafran sovereignty against both Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities. The Black Marine and Dragon Fighter Marine have emerged as key players in the Bakassi Peninsula, launching attacks on Cameroonian forces to challenge their control. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, groups like the BLA and BRF continue to clash with security forces, often citing historical marginalization and ethnic persecution as justification for their insurgency.

Regional Implications

The recent incidents in Abana and Okigwe highlight the fragile security situation in the Gulf of Guinea and Bight of Biafra. The Bakassi Peninsula’s strategic importance, coupled with its oil wealth, makes it a focal point for both separatist ambitions and state counterinsurgency efforts. The involvement of Nigerian and Cameroonian forces in separate but related conflicts risks further destabilization, potentially drawing in regional actors or international attention, as seen in past interventions by the United Nations and the ICJ.

The alliance between Biafran separatists and Anglophone separatists in Cameroon, solidified during conferences in 2023 and 2024, adds another layer of complexity. This collaboration aims to challenge both Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities, raising concerns about a broader regional insurgency.

As of August 18, 2025, the situation in Abana remains tense, with Cameroonian forces reportedly reinforcing their positions in nearby areas like the Isangele subdivision. In Okigwe, the BLA’s repulsion of Nigerian forces suggests continued resistance to military operations in Biafran strongholds. Neither the Nigerian nor Cameroonian governments have issued official statements on the latest incidents, and casualty reports remain unverified due to the region’s isolation and restricted media access.

The Biafra War of Attrition shows no signs of abating, with separatist groups leveraging guerrilla tactics and maritime operations to challenge state authority. The international community, including organizations like the Pan African Forum, has called for investigations into alleged human rights abuses in the region, but a resolution remains elusive as both sides dig in.

The violent clashes in Abana and Okigwe underscore the enduring legacy of the Biafran struggle, rooted in historical grievances and fueled by contemporary political and economic marginalization. The Black Marine’s swift response in Bakassi and the BLA’s defiance in Okigwe signal a renewed phase of militancy that could further destabilize the region. As Cameroon and Nigeria grapple with internal and cross-border security challenges, the risk of escalation looms large, with profound implications for peace and stability in West Africa.