Nigerian government has handed over Tombo-Mota, a fishing village in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State to Niger Republic.
The decision is taken after the five-year dispute over status of the community was resolved by a Joint Standing Committee of Experts on Re-demarcation of the Nigeria-Niger International Boundary.
A press release made available to THISDAY by National Boundary Commission (NBC), stated that the village of 3,000 people, now has the Niger Republic flag hoisted after the handing over ceremony last weekend, by Director General of the Commission, Sadiq Marafa Diggi.
Diggi said Tombo Mota was handed over after survey measurements and record comparison, to demonstrate that Nigeria is a peace-loving nation with respect for international laws on the territorial integrity of her neighbours.
He urged the villagers to relocate to Nigeria if they wish, or stay in the village and live in accordance with the laws of Niger Republic.
Nigerians affected by the development were apprehensive, and expressed hope that Nigerian government would resettle them if the community becomes �hostile� to them.
In a related development, the Nigerian government and the Ghanaian government are holding talks over the need for a maritime boundary adjustment between the two countries for administrative purposes.
At a meeting held by the two sides in Abuja yesterday, Director, Maritime Boundary, of the National
Boundary Commission, Alhaji Aliyu Umar, said even though Togo and Benin Republic exist between the two countries, the Niger Delta coastline has protruded for about eight nautical miles.
The talks, which started in December 2007 in Accra, Ghana, has the Deputy Director of Surveys, Mr Mohenv Emmanuel Adtei, negotiating on behalf of the Ghanaian government.
Feb192008