By DANIELA ITOE NGUM
Close to a thousand bike riders in Kumba, have vowed to put an end to the almost three-year traditional practice of ghost town in Kumba, chief town of Meme division, in the South West region of Cameroon.
The riders came out in their numbers on Saturday, July 13, 2019 carrying plants and branches of trees shouting “no more ghost town and yes to school resumption”.
The riot that almost grounded activities in the metropolis took place in major streets and junctions in the town, ending at the Meme SDO’s office, was provoked by the killing of one of theirs by unidentified gunmen.
Arriving at the Divisional Office, the Senior Divisional Officer for Meme, Chamberlain Ntou’ou Ndong was not on sit. He however, convened an emergency meeting with the riders on Sunday, July 14.
According to some riders, their colleague whose only name The SUN got as Junior was shot dead on the night of Friday, July 12, at New Layout Fiango, Kumba by some gunmen. Sources disclosed that the bike rider reportedly refused surrendering his bike to his unknown killers.
The riders immediately ferried the mortal remains of their colleague to the Kumba District Hospital. The riders questioned why their colleague should be killed because he refused surrendering his bike to gunmen. Some lamented that they have been cooperating and respecting the laws of the Amba fighters, yet they are still inflicting sufferings on them.
It is against this backdrop that they have decided to put an end to the traditional phenomenon of ghost town and ensure the effective resumption of schools in the town of Kumba.
Earlier on, the bikers made a stop at the Kumba III Sub-Divisional Office and presented their grievances to the Divisional Officer. The DO of Kumba III, Verkline Epolewane addressing the hundreds of bikers told them she is aware of their plight. She promised to forward their messages to the hierarchy for proper measures to be taken.
Bikers promise to bury colleague on ‘Ghost Town’ day
The disgruntled riders have sworn to bury their colleague on a Monday, popularly known as ghost town day in the town and elsewhere in the region. They noted that they will rally themselves and go to the mortuary and convened the mortal remains to the burial ground. They further stated that they are ready for confrontation or battle with the gunmen in order to put an end to the crisis.
Junior leaves behind a pregnant girlfriend, friends, colleagues and family members to mourn him.