By Talla Aghaa Christopher and Ikome Christie-noella Eposi
Killings, kidnappings, ghost towns, heavy gunfire continue to rock the North West and South West Regions despite government’s launch of an emergency humanitarian relief plan for victims of the unrest in both regions.
Another sheriff-bailiff, police officers, others allegedly kidnapped A Sheriff- Bailiff was allegedly kidnapped by unidentified men Thursday, June 21, 2018 just few months after a Limbe based Sheriff-Bailiff Maitre Makia Eni cum Traditional Ruler of Betock village in Nguti Subdivision of Kupe Muanenguba Division, South West Region was kidnapped and freed after an alleged ransom of FCFA of 2million was paid to the captors while he was travelling from Kumba to Limbe in Mbalangi, a village in Mbonge Subdivision, Meme Division along the Kumba- Buea highway.
Maitre Ngalame Romanus, head of the Ngalame Chambers is reported to have been abducted around Mbalangi village and taken to an unknown destination while returning from Buea after a rendez-vous with the Attorney General of the South West Court of Appeal visa-vis his emolument and other commitments taking into consideration that his late father who is currently at the Kumba mortuary is to be interred on June 30, 2018 at his Western Bakossi Village.
The SUN gathered from passengers on board the bus transporting them from Buea to Kumba, that while at one of the checkpoints of the Amba Boys around Mbalangi, they discovered in the abducted Bailiff’s National Identity Card that his occupation was a Bailiff and then asked him to step out of the car, and asked the driver of the bus to continue with to his destination with the other passengers. To their greatest dismay and consternation, the Bailiff was whisked off to an unknown destination. When The SUN visited the chambers of the abducted Sheriff-Bailiff there was total shock and disbelief on the faces of his collaborators.
They expressed dismay as regards the incident especially at a time when the Bailiff is to lay to rest his father this weekend in his native Western Bakossi Village and funeral arrangements have entered high gear. Some colleagues have even questioned his role on the ongoing struggle considering the fact that Maitre Ngalame Romanus is humble, submissive and will hardly hurt even a fly. As we went to press we gathered, that, the abductors are already demanding the sum of about FCFA 1.5 million as ransom for the Bailiff to be freed. The President of the Sheriff Bailiff Association of the South West Region, Maitre Epie Alowbede has called on colleagues to intensify prayers for the health of their abducted colleague.
Police Commissioner, Senior Inspector abducted
In a related development the Commissioner of the Special Branch Police Station in Fiango, Kumba II Subdivision is reported to have been abducted along the Kumba- Buea road on Tuesday June 19, 2018.
Commissioner Ngong James of Kom extraction was on his way from Limbe after his usual weekend visit to his family but was unfortunately abducted after spending some days at Bombe Bakundu following the road block by unidentified persons, that saw many commuters spending days on the road due to travelling frustrations.
Also, an Inspector of Police, Mwengela Susan attached to the Kumba Centre Police Station was reportedly abducted around her Sustainer neighbourhood in Mile 1 Kumba Mbonge road in Kumba I Subdivision.
Days of ghost town resurface
Last week witnessed a return of ghost towns across the North West and South West regions with Amba fighters and their loyalists coming out to implement the plan. Sporadic gunshots were heard from unknown gunmen at the 3-corners Fiango Market in Kumba III Subdivision and the Fiango Main Market in Kumba II Subdivision and caused many businessmen and women to close their shops. The SUN gathered that tracts had circulated in these markets urging businessmen and shop owners in these markets to stay at home.
Court sessions affected The usual court session in the Meme Judicial Division witnessed some hitches. On Thursday, June 21, 2018 at about 10am many who came to the court for their legal concerns to be addressed saw themselves leaving the court premises in breakneck speed. Nobody could immediately explain the reason for the unexpected movements including Magistrates, Court Registrars, Court Support staffs and some Lawyers.
In about 30 minutes the Court premises was lifeless as the area was deserted. The SUN gathered that one of the top officials in the court is alleged to have received a strange call from an unknown individual that they should leave the court before it is too late. Shortly after the court premises was deserted; this reporter witnessed the arrival of forces of law and order well-armed to counter any eventuality.
Killings, gunshots in Mutengene, Bamenda
It was a terrible atmosphere in Mutengene during the early hours of Thursday, June 21, 2018, following the killing of a gendarme officer, Adjudant Ngankeu Robinson by unknown gunmen. According to information gathered, the gunmen attacked Adjudant Ngankeu and two of his colleagues at a security checkpoint at the “big mop market”.
One of the two colleague’s hand is said to have been chopped off. The gunmen suspected to be elements of the Ambazonia fighters armed with machetes and locally made guns surprised the officers, machetes in hand. The unfortunate incident left a huge military deployment in the area to track down the assailants. This is the first gruesome incident in Tiko Subdivision since the escalation of the current socio-political unrest.
In Bamenda, two persons were shot dead by security officers on patrol. The incident is said to have taken place at Mile 4 Nkwen following a precarious calm. Gunshots were reported in Molyko in Buea, Mulang in Bamenda and other locations across Anglophone Cameroon.
Extrajudicial killings, arsons in Kumba
Several persons suspected to be separatists have been killed in Kumba, Meme Division of Cameroon’s South West Region following a military raid in the area. Like was the case in Kwa-kwa weeks ago, many houses were burnt in Kumbaas security forces battle armed men fighting for the independence of a country they call Ambazonia.
As we went to press, a trusted source at the 10th joint military sector in Buea told The SUN that those killed are believed to have links with activists fighting for the independence of a breakaway state.
Our source, on grounds of anonymity, tried to justify the extrajudicial killings claiming that some of those who died had indeed been communicating with separatists abroad. Ngongang Cathy, Itoe Elvis, Maxwell Esapa, Esie Judith, Nkabyo Godlove, Nkelle Ruth, Lukong Ivo and Ngongang Victor are some of the persons we learnt died in the attack, although we learnt some locals narrowly cheated death.
Military allegations suggest that the Ngongang family have been receiving funding from Europe to sponsor secessionists in order to make Kumba ungovernable. We are yet to independently verify these claims. But it should be noted that Mr.Ngongang was a hardworking business man. He was popular in Kumba.
Our source made revelations suggesting that Ngongang has children abroad. His children are accused of being part of the secessionist movement and may well have been sending funds through their father. It is feared that members of this family may receive similar treatment from the security forces. It would not be strange if they are killed in cold blood without trial.
It would be recalled that on April 25, 2018, Police arrested Mrs Agbor Ruth Ayuk and demanded that she produces her son, Mark Bareta whom Government has labelled a terrorist given his secessionist activism. She is also accused of receiving money from her son and funding secessionist movements in the troubled regions.
She would later be released on April 28, 2018 when security forces could not provide evidence against her.
cations across Anglophone Cameroon.