Nigeria says it will not appeal an international court ruling that gave a disputed peninsula, potentially rich in oil, to Cameroon.

Nigerian Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke said Tuesday that his country will not challenge the 2002 ruling by the International Court of Justice regarding the Bakassi peninsula.

Adoke said Nigeria might instead try to buy the territory back from Cameroon.

The 10-year statute of limitations on the ruling expires Wednesday, so residents of Bakassi who consider themselves Nigerian have been increasing pressure for an appeal.

Bakassi is considered a good fishing area and is thought to have large reserves of oil and natural gas.

Nigeria formally handed over the peninsula to Cameroon in 2008.