By Elah Geoffrey Mbongale
A boy whose names The SUN got as Mbunwe Terence was killed in Limbe last Friday, September 22, 2017 during demonstrations by some Anglophones calling for the release of some leaders detained and restoration of the former state of West Cameroons, fondly called by activists as Ambazonia.
September 22, 2017 was a day marked by Anglophone activists in the Diaspora for a nationwide protest especially in the two Anglophone regions; the North West and South West.
Thousands emptied themselves into the streets of major towns and villages across the regions carrying placards demanding the independence of ‘Ambazonia’, blue and white striped flags and peace plants to note that the demonstrations were peaceful.
In Limbe, the demonstrations started as early as 5AM at the Towe neighbourhoods where some youths gathered and starting blowing whistles. They were later joined by other people including women and children and marched towards down town.
The march was quickly intercepted before they could even make it to the major streets who dispersed the protesters with flash bang grenades and teargas. Some of the protesters were arrested and taken to the Limbe central police station.
After that, the atmosphere was relatively calm in Limbe with people going about their daily activities unperturbed.
The perceived quietude however masked an atmosphere of fear which was later let lose when a group of youths, some on motorbikes filed in from Mile Four, Bonadikombo with placards, flags and peace plants. Any other vehicle coming into Limbe was forced to carry a peace plant or placard as a show of solidarity to their cause.
Thousands of Limbe denizens flanged both sides of the main road with most of them giving their support to the protesters either by cheering while others joined in the parade.
The coming of the protesters into town was preceded by a police warning to those who had stands along the streets and market vendors to pack up their goods to avoid any destruction.
The parade is said to have been relatively peaceful until the youths marched to the police station in an attempt to cause the release of those who were arrested earlier in the morning.
They met with stiff resistance with the police and other security officers at this point who hurled teargas and stun grenades at the protesters. The protesters also reciprocated the gesture with an avalanche of stones at the police.
This is where young Mbunwe Terence was shot in the head and another young man was also shot in the back while trying to flee. Several others are reported to have sustained injuries during the exchange.
Mbunwe was rushed to the Limbe Regional hospital by his brother who was at the scene and was later joined by other family members.
The now irate protesters who also accompanied Mbunwe to the hospital mounted a road block infront of the hospital, stopping traffic from both ends. They were later chased by security officers who used teargas and shots in the air to disperse the crowd.
The protester scampered in various directions, some into the hospital. When the police followed them into the hospital, hurling teargas at them, they met up with Mbunwe’s family who were there to see the situation of their brother who was at the theatre at this point.
Two male family members were arrested at the hospital despite please from other family members that they were not part of the protest.
According to a family member; “We were infront of the theatre crying, not knowing the situation of our brother when a police officer showed up and arrested two of our brothers, we pleaded with him that our brother is in the theatre and we are there to take care of him, but he corked his gun and threatened to shoot them if they didn’t move. Our brother was later taken to Douala where he was pronounced death”
As at press time, the family told the Sun that the two brothers of the deceased where released later Saturday after the whole family went and pleaded with the police officials.