By DANIELA ITOE NGUM
It has been reported that at least two teachers and 12 students were kidnapped by gunmen at the campus of Presbyterian High School, PHS Kumba in the restive South West Region.
The SUN learnt from a source within the institution who opted for anonymity, that, lectures were halted for two weeks as gunmen, suspected to be separatist fighters demanded ransom to ensure the release of the teachers and students as well as the functioning of the institution.
“PHS Kumba is going through some difficult moments now; activities in the school has been suspended for close to two weeks now following the kidnapping of two teachers and some 12 students”, our sourced averred.
Our source further disclosed that the students were kidnapped in the quarters while on their way home after school.
Sources in the Mbonge Road and Mile One neighbourhoods disclosed that gunmen, suspected to be Amba fighters are reported to have moved to homes of teachers and school authorities to ask for money.
Meantime, The SUN gathered from some parents within the neighbourhood that the authorities of the school ordered the students who were left on campus to go home last week. The decision they say could have been forced by increased insecurity and persistent pressure from gunmen. Authorities of PHS Kumba are said to have told the students that they will notify them to come back when the situation has been normalised.
The unfortunate situation occurred weeks after there has been an increased number of students and classes have gained momentum after three frustrated academic years.
The demand for money as pre-condition for schools within the Kumba metropolis to function is said to be the new means suspected Amba fighters use to extort money from school authorities.
The Mbonge Road, Mile I neighbourhoods where PHS Kumba is located are among the most deserted vicinities in the Kumba metropolis since the Anglophone crisis took a bloody turn.