BY ATIA TILARIOUS AZOHNWI AND ELAH GEOFREY MBONGALE
There is general panic in Manyu Division. There is mass exodus in Bodam, Dadi, Kesham, Badjie, Abonado, Beteme, Ebinsi and Bakem villages in Akwaya subdivision. In Eyumojock subdivision, villagers in Otu, Nsanaragati, Nsanakang, Agborkem German, Nduap and Esaghem are on red alert. The situation is not different in Egbekaw village in Mamfe subdivision.
Truckloads of military personnel and equipment been reported to be heading towards Manyu through Kumba which is an indication that a siege is imminent.
Many villagers of the aforementioned villages are said to have already evacuated to safety for fear of the unknown after a controversial order purpottedly signed by the SDO of Manyu made the rounds on social media asking villagers to evacuate.
Oum II Joseph, Manyu Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) had on December 1, 2017 called on the inhabitants to “relocate to safer neigbourhoods of their choice in the hours that follow, failure of which they will be treated as accomplices or perpetrators of ongoing criminal occurrences registered on security and defense forces.”
The order that was served to radio stations in the Division adds that business men and persons ploughing the Manyu river should “immediately suspend all activities till further notice” and for all motor bike riders “to strictly observe without provocation the suspension of their circulation from 7pm to 6am daily”.
Apparently alarmed by the reactions that greeted the SDO’s communiqué, Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai ¬on December 2, 2017 was quick to withdraw the statement in a telephone interview granted journalists of the national radio broadcaster.
Hear him: “…The document is fake. When I say it is fake is because first of all, the SDO has never consulted me to take such a sensitive and important measure. I have never contacted the government to take such measures and I have not received a copy of that document; that is why I say it is a fake document.”
As the Governor’s interview was making rounds on social media platforms, SDO Oum II Joseph was on Radio Evangelum Mamfe to vouch for the authenticity of the December 1 communiqué. The SDO however asked that the document be withdrawn, suggesting that it might have been signed in error.
The SDO’s decision drew quick criticism from Cameroonians at home and abroad. By asking the population to leave their villages gave room for speculations that government may be preparing the ground for the area to be taken over by defense forces.
The SDO later signed another order calling on the population to disregard the ‘fake’ order and stay in their villages and cooperate with security officers.
The Head of State, President Paul Biya upon his return from Abidjan on Thursday November 30 2017, promised tough times for those behind the killing of the country’s defense forces.
Seven uniform officers have bowed out in recent days in locations in Manyu Division. An emergency security meeting chaired by defense minister Joseph Beti Assomo on November 30 reviewed the security situation in the country, especially in the South West Region.
The who is who in Manyu is expected to meet today to find solutions to the issues at stake.
Many persons in the villages have said on grounds of anonymity that they are already seeking safe havens in other locations. They fear for the unknown, even after assurances from the Governor of the region.
Governor Okalia has called on the population to remain in their homes and go about their normal activities. He however enjoins them to be of service to the defense forces, and giving useful information to the competent administrative quarters.
Reacting to the said orders, the leader of the separatist movement, Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe has called on the people of Manyu to disregard the governor’s assurances and evacuate to safety. He also called on them to defend themselves if they must.
“the Interim Gov’t is asking all Ambazonians to plan on defending themselves and their families with whatever means they can, should Cameroun troops invade your community and begin to kill as they did in the past”, the statement from the separatist group reads in parts.