BY ALICE NJI
As the Anglophone crisis, which has metamorphosed into an armed conflict rages on the government of the Republic of Cameroon, through the military, is currently targeting Anglophones alleged to be activists.
The military has launched a manhunt for the alleged activists for not only siding with separatists but offering them substantial financial assistance. In the face of all these, security operatives have not stop raping women, molesting, torturing killing innocent Anglophones and burning their houses and properties. They have established both search and arrest warrants for the apprehension against many alleged Anglophone activists all over the national territory for being critics of the regime in power as the ongoing armed conflict that started about seven years ago rages on. The alleged activists both home and abroad have been considered as dangerous and threats to the public and declared wanted.
The population has equally been urged to be vigilant and report to the closest gendarmerie or police stations. The alleged activists include Yvonne Ayamba Ayuk, Nji Alfred Ndifor Ni Mbone, Bolivan Enow Ako, Mbanwei John, Mbelle Franklin Etonge and Charlette Nkwa Mbiaya.
At press time THE SUN gathered that the case of Bolivan Enow Ako is pathetic. Reports say due to frustration to secure a job after graduating from university due to Anglophone marginalisation, he joined other youths in a peaceful protest against Anglophone marginalisation, clamouring for better living conditions and equal opportunities. This protest attracted military reprisals, leading to their molestation, arrest and detention thus the start of his victimisation and intimidation by the military because of his opinion.
Reports say just like many innocent Anglophone youths, Bolivan suffered several arrests and detention amidst the ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions. Despite his sojourn out of the country for further studies, the military still placed him in their searchlight, reasons he was arrested at the airport and detained shortly after he returned to Cameroon.
According to family sources, security officers disclosed that he is amongst the frontline critics of the regime in power. However, he was released few days later and advised to leave the country for if arrested he will be prosecuted and executed.
Family sources have disclosed that ever since Bolivan Enow Ako left the country, they have been restless with frequent molestation of family members by military injecting a lot of emotional and financial distress.
The government’s crackdown on alleged Anglophone activists and politicians more especially youths has since intensified with arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture and extra-judicial killings becoming the new normal, human rights groups have said.
Government forces have engaged in extrajudicial killings, random looting, shooting, torture, molestation using disproportionate and discriminating force, abusing and arresting protesters, burning more than 300 villages, 600 houses, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians, attacking hospitals, beating and raping women and girls. The inhumane treatment meted on civilians amidst the crisis is alarming and the international bodies have been called upon to intervene and mount pressure on the government to solve the situation and assist all those who have escaped the armed conflict.
The war still rages on and many more killings by the military are still being documented by rights organisations.
The government has launched a manhunt for those alleged to be fanning the crisis both at home and. abroad. Terrorism charges hang over them if arrested as they have been declared wanted.