By DANIELA ITOE NGUM
At least two motor bike riders in Kumba have been brutally killed, others kidnapped and tortured following clashes with Ambazonian fighters recently.
The most recent case is a rider popularly known as Caporal, who was brutally killed at Mile I, Kumba by gunmen, for partaking in the fight against ghost town in Kumba.
The clash between the two parties generated following the killing of a bike rider, Junior Itoe Itoe and his bike seized at New layout, by gunmen on the night of Friday July 12, 2019.
This act was highly condemned by most riders who could not see reasons why their colleague should be killed because he refused giving the gunmen his bike.
Our source disclosed that after the bike riders staged a peaceful protest on Saturday, July 13, 2019 to put an end to the traditional ghost town on Mondays and ensure effective resumption of school this coming academic year in Kumba as well as bury their late colleague on Monday, most riders who were involved in the protest have been kidnapped and tortured at dying point, while those riders who were at the frontline of the protest have been targeted and some killed already by gunmen.
He further revealed that some bike riders have escaped to other towns for safety due to threats and the fact that they are now the targets.
A video footage circulating on the Social Media showed how some abducted riders were being tortured by Amba fighters.
Kumba bike riders defy alleged 10 days Ghost Town
Rumours around the town of Kumba has it that following the protest march on Saturday, July 13, 2019 staged by bike riders, a 10-days ghost town order was placed on bike riders by Amba fighters.
According to our source, the ten-day ghost town restricting riders from circulating in the town was meant to penalize them for trying to rise up against the Amba fighters and for conniving with the government and the military.
It should be noted that though the number of riders drastically reduced during the early days of the alleged ban, the rest of the majority join those who were courageous to work.
Meanwhile, neighbourhoods such as Mile I, Kossala still remain a no go zone for most riders who are scared of the unknown.
However, The Sun is yet to ascertain the veracity of the rumour, as no formal statement has been made available by the Amba fighters or their governing body.
Meme SDO condole with bereaved family, support riders’ cause
The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Meme Division Chamberlain Ntou’ou Ndong has in strong terms promised to take all appropriate measures to support the riders’ decision to put an end to ghost town and ensure the effective start of schools.
The SDO had earlier convened a meeting on Sunday, July 14, at his office with the riders to discuss the way forward of their decision. Reports hold that the bike riders boycotted the meeting because of the threats and kidnappings that took place on the night of Saturday, July 13 by gunmen.
In the midst of the happenings, Meme SDO decided to pay a visit to the residence of the late bike rider, Junior Itoe Itoe, where he met his pregnant girlfriend.
There he extended a word of condolence to her and condemned the act. He further told her that they are waiting to hear what the state will do in respect to his burial.
There after he moved to New Layout, Fiango, where the deceased was murdered to check the security state of that neighbourhood.
On his way back, the SDO stopped at Texzaco Fiango, where a good number of riders were on the waiting. He then approached them and assured them of his support and that of the state.
He said in situations like this, they need to join forces to fight the common enemy, for tomorrow it might be another person: “I am here to sympathise with you people for the death of your colleague and to assure you people of my absolute support towards your decision. Am happy you people have taken the decision to put an end to all this, for today is Junior Itoe, tomorrow it might be you or a friend or family member”, Meme SDO said.
He further disclosed that the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Ataanga Nji has made available FCFA 1.5 million to assist the riders accompany the mortal remains of their colleague to Weme, Mbonge in Konye Sub-Division.
The SDO further had a meeting with the bereaved family who decided that their son will no longer be buried on Monday but rather on Thursday.
As a means to fulfil his promise to assist the riders to fight against ghost town, Meme SDO through a communiqué last Sunday, July 14, called on riders to come out en mass on Monday to work.
The communiqué also stipulates that five litres of fuel will be available for a rider who will circulate on Monday, July 15, including FCFA 3000 from the state to assist in the burial of their colleague.
Another communiqué from the Motorbike Riders Association in Meme, called on riders to massively turnout on Monday, in order to stop the ghost town phenomenon in the town of Kumba.
Kumba Motorbike riders only bark but don’t bite
It should be noted that despite the riders’ protest and determination to put an end to ghost town, no rider was courageous enough to circulate on Monday, July 15.
Sources disclosed that no rider showed up for the meeting with Meme SDO. They however boycotted their own course of action despite the massive protest they staged on Saturday, July 13. Talking to some riders who opted for anonymity, they revealed that threats and fear of the unknown hindered them from circulating.
Junior Itoe Itoe’s mortal remains was removed from the Kumba District Hospital on Thursday, July 18, 2019 and taken to Weme, Mbonge for burial.