By Noela Ebob Bisong
A Military helicopter with seven persons on board, during the afternoon of Monday, May 13, crashed in Elak Oku, in Bui division, North West region of Cameroon, killing one person and injuring the other six persons on board.
According to a Press Release from the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense, Joseph Beti Assomo, later on Monday, the seven (7) persons on board the military helicopter, included the pilot, co-pilot, mechanic, navigator, the Divisional Officers of Noni, Bum and Oku and a police commissioner.
Minister Beti Assomo announced with deep regrets that, the one death from the helicopter crash is that of the police commissioner, by name Ngwe Wiyou Victor, interim commissioner of Public Security for Noni Subdivision. He also stated in the Press Release that, following the crash, the Head of State and Commander-in-chief of the Arm Forces immediately instructed that the other six injured persons be immediately air-lifted to Douala for appropriated medical attention.
Minister Delegate, Joseph Beti Assomo on behalf of the president of the Republic and commander in-chief of the arm forces has expressed his deepest condolence to the bereaved family, while hoping for quick recovery for the other six injured.
Littoral Governor, Samuel Ivaha Diboua on Tuesday May 14, paid a visit to the wounded victims being hospitalized, where he comforted and encouraged them. Talking to the press shortly after the visit, the governor said “The Head of State sent me to give support to these victims of the helicopter crash and to tell them that the Head of State is following the situation, as measures have been taken to attend to them while they are in hospital. Also am here to congratulate them and encourage them to remain strong even in the face of difficulties”.
The Monday Military helicopter crash no doubt comes at a time when the Cameroon Military is facing a couple of security challenges across the nation as well as accusations of human rights abuses from a host of organizations.