By Noela EBOB BISONG
Fr. John Berinyuy regained freedom from captivity last December 2, after he was kidnapped alongside six others on November 18. Even after his release, it is not clear exactly why the seven were kidnapped by supposed separatist fighters, or why Fr. John remained in captivity for many days after the other six were released.
It is also unclear the modalities towards his release, as the Catholic Church, through the voice of the Archbishop of Bamenda, His Lordship Andrew Fuanya Nkea had alerted that the Church was not in any position to pay ransom for the kidnap of the servants of God. The Archbishop, last November 23, had voiced firm measures to secure the release of Fr. John, though the time frame he had prescribed elasped without significant outcome. However, the Catholic Priest was released some days after.
In a December 3 statement from the Office of the Bamenda Archdiocese, Archbishop Nkea, announced with joy the release of Fr. John.
“I write to you all with a light and joyous heart full of gratitude to God for the safe return of Fr. John Berinyuy. After 14 days of pain, obscurity and confusion yet full of hope, Fr. John is back with us”, the Archbishop announced. On a thanksgiving note, Archbishop Nkea celebrated all who contibuted efforts towards the release. He appreciated especially Pope Leo XIV and Catholic faithful in Baba I village, North West Region.
At press time, no word had been echoed by Fr. John Berinyuy.
Kidnapping for ransom, killing and destruction have been the face of the crisis still ongoing in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon which erupted in 2017. No sector has remained untouched, as schools, churches, offices, businesses etc continue to be targeted.