As protest ‘ring leader’ is released:

Gov. Lele&FruNdi save B’da another street violence 

NW Governor flanked by FruNdi and the SG of the NW

descend from the Judicial Police to address the boiling crowd

It took the humility, maturity and more importantly the prompt intervention of Northwest Governor, AdolpheLeleL’Afrique last week to save Bamenda another spate of violent street protests and running battles. The governor acted just in time by ordering the release from police detention of one ManchoBibixy thus dissipating mounting tension around the precincts of the Judicial Police where an ever increasing crowd was gathering and mobilizing to seek his release. Mancho had been arrested on suspicion of being one of the ring leaders of the 21 November 2016 street protests in Bamenda. Mancho is the ‘hero’ who addressed the Bamenda population from inside a coffin.

                Police had reportedly gone to the Bamenda Main Market late in the morning, dressed in civilian attire and arrested the young man. They handcuffed him and carried him manu-militari to a parked pickup truck that later sped off from the Market entrance towards the direction of the Judicial Police situated at Old Town.

                The police vehicle was immediately trailed by some commercial motorbike riders who were however blocked at the entrance into the street leading up to the DO’s Office and the Judicial Police head office. Here the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd that had suddenly started building up and boiling for the immediate release of Che Benjamin.

                In a swift action the bike riders split up into units, some reportedly went to the SDF chairman’s residence in Ntarinkon where he was not found at home, while others went to Nkwen and other areas of the city of Bamenda. Within a twinkle of an eye, the population of Bamenda in their thousands had emptied on the main street around the entrance to the DO’s office.

                Eyewitnesses said it was at this stage that the governor ran into the protesters on his way to Ayaba Hotel to preside over a meeting. Lelel’Afrique inquired and was briefed by the angry crowd. He was later joined by Chairman John FruNdi at the Judicial Police where they spent some time before coming out to address the irate crowd.

                It took a lengthy effort of begging and persuasion for the Governor and FruNdi to calm the crowd that was already boiling and chanting protest songs: “we no go gree oh, we no go gree”.

                The Governor and the SDF Chairman used the booth of a police pickup truck as makeshift rostrum to address the crowd.

                FruNdi had a tedious time with the crowd that wanted nothing other than the release of Mancho.

                The Governor called on the population to take a commitment to stay in peace, while the authorities worked towards finding a lasting solution to the grievances they raised during the street demonstrations on 21 November.

                Governor Lele then proceeded to ordering the release of Mancho but this was not before he had assured the crowd that government is seriously looking into their concerns. He urged the population to fulfill their own bargain by being peaceful and responsible. 

                The release of ManchoBibixy from police detention was greeted with wild scenes of jubilation and songs of victory as the crowd carried him shoulder high across Old Town to Commercial Avenue.

                But while this was going on, some riot police that were stationed at the Sonac street junction used tear gas and water canons to disperse the population in a bid to prevent more people joining the crowd that had continued gathering at Old Town.

                Other groups of youths had also stationed themselves at the Veterinary Junction and other strategic locations bracing up to mount road blocks if negotiations failed at the Judicial Police.

                But following the peaceful resolution of the crisis by the governor and FruNdi, life quickly returned to normal across town, even though one could still perceive the irritating smell of tear gas along Sonac Street. 

                Governor LeleLafrique had thus used the occasion provided by the arrest of Che Benjamin to not only address the population but also obtain a commitment from them that they would henceforth strive to preserve peace in Bamenda.