BY Lusy Lima
Investigations in connection to the razing to the ground of the Kumba District Hospital, recently upgraded to Kumba Regional Hospital Annex in Meme Division South West Region sometimes on February 10, 2019, are yet to be concluded.
The government of Cameroon has ordered the military to open fresh investigation into the arson alleged to have carried out by separatist fighters.
It should be recalled in the early hours of February 11, 2019 Kumba District Hospital was attacked and some five units of the hospital, including the Operation Room, Doctor Wards with all other tools and furniture burnt to the ground allegedly by separatist fighters. Two patients were killed, while several others and medical staff were forced to flee for their lives.
This barbaric act, purportedly committed by separatist fighters, received wide condemnation across the board. The military is said to have launched investigation into the issue and many nurses including Nalokili Mosamai Ebanda, Sakwe Pamela, Maltida Nain, Bokwe Musima and Lum Comfort, who were on night duties on that day were arrested, tortured, molested and detained in very cruel, inhumane and harsh detention conditions. They were accused for siding with separatist fighters, and that they are informants of the separatist fighters. They were accused of having concealed information and did not alert the security or the hospital authorities that the separatist fighters were burning the hospital that evening.
After several pleadings from Nalokili Mosamai Ebanda’s lawyer, she was granted bail with firm instructions from the state prosecutor that she and others will be reporting to the State Prosecutors Chambers for continuous interrogation as investigations is still on course.
Reports say Nalokili was rushed to the hospital for medical attention and later on discharged. News of her freedom is said to have caused separatist fighters to launch a manhunt for her since their hideout in Betika village was burnt down by the military shortly after Nalokili and her colleagues were arrested on grounds that they had an idea of the attack and burning of the hospital by separatists.
Sources say separatists suspected that Nalokili must have disclosed their hideout to the military since they are from the village, reasons the military stormed the village and razed their camp to the ground.
Caught in the web of the Military and separatists, family sources disclosed that Nalokili decided to go underground since her name was listed by the state to answer charges at the Military Tribunal in connection to the Kumba hospital burning. Meanwhile, her mother relocated to Buea.
As we went to press the government was reported to have ordered fresh investigation into the Kumba Hospital attack and burning. Nalokili and her colleagues, who were arrested following the incident, have been listed to stand trial. Family sources say nothing have been heard about Nalokili. Her whereabouts including those of her colleagues remains cloudy. The military continues to make impromptu checks on Nalokili Mosamai Ebanda around her neighbourhood just to arrest her as she has been declared wanted.