By NOELA EBOB BISONG
The Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung division, Simon Nkwenti Doh recently visited the displaced population of Ntumbaw, following the Ngarbuh incident which occurred last February 14, 2020, leaving at least 23 civilians dead, according to UN figures.
During the visit, Simon Nkwenti called on the population comprising mostly Fulanis to remain hopeful and trust state institutions, as the state is there for their protection and wellbeing.
With words of love and comfort, the SDO advised them to throw away fear and depression and regain their homes in the village.
Talking to the press, Simon Nkwenti explained that “We came to assure the population that the incidents at Ngarbuh were orchestrated by armed gangs who decided to take this enclave border zone with Bui division into their hideouts and they had decided to make it the hub of terrorist activities and the peaceful populations have paid the price.”
The Donga Mantung boss equally reiterated to the population that the state defence and security forces are there for their protection against separatists who commit atrocities and indict the military.
“These are the populations of the area and they are at peace among themselves but the trouble makers accidentally come from neighbouring areas. They are not even sons and daughters of Donga Mantung…they kidnap people’s daughters and wives…we are happy the area has been liberated from the hands of armed gangs”, he said.
Simon Nkwenti furthered that “We use this opportunity to tell the population to remain peaceful, law abiding and make us know of any suspect that creeps into the area so that we will be able to ensure their total security.”
As investigations into the bloodbath at Ngarbuh continues, popular opinion in Donga Mantung suggests that the Ngarbuh incident is not unconnected with the victory of the CPDM in the 2020 twin elections as claims are being made to the fact that some CPDM elite in other areas did mastermind the incident to set at loggerheads the state against the Nkambe people, who have seriously thrown their weight behind the ruling party, having Ngala Gerard at the forefront. However, The SUN cannot confirm the veracity of such claims.
Nonetheless, reports say separatist fighters had kidnapped the Fon of Ntumbaw months back and it is alleged the sum of FCFA 5 million was raised both from home and abroad to secure the Fon’s freedom from the hands of separatists.