Kembong, Manyu Division:

Four Gendarmes killed in daylight clashes, guns seized by assailants

-Soldiers set houses ablaze

Four gendarme officers have been killed and their guns seized by unidentified assailants in the locality of Kembong near Mamfe in Manyu Division. Reports from Mamfe said about six gunmen shot the gendarmes to death in a surprise attack that took place at about midday on Monday.

                Some other gendarmes who were also on duty surrendered their guns and were allowed to run to safety, The Median gathered.

                The assailants, who came in from the direction of Ewelle village, went away with the guns of the slain gendarmes and those of their colleagues that were not shot, according to reports on the ground.

                About three houses were set ablaze by soldiers who were called in to reinforce the security in Kembong.

                A source in Kembong said it was difficult to know how and when the assailants entered town. But he said the left on motor-bikes.

                The CPDM MP from Kembong, Hon. Okpu Suzan, confirmed the attacks when this reporter called her later in the day. She said she on her way to her village, Kembong, when a family member she had called advised her not to dare come. She said it was this interlocutor who informed her of the situation in her village had degenerated and that four gendarmes had been shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

Sounding discernibly exasperated, the MP questioned: “Why Kembong? Why should Sisikou Julius’ men choose only Kembong of all places to carry out their wicked atrocities?”

                A source told us that the gendarmes who were on guard in Kembong had retired to a small bar to cool off. And that was where the assailants took them off guard.

                Others who were at the duty post were instructed to drop their guns and run for their lives. They reportedly obliged. The assailants carried the guns away.

                It is not immediately known who the assailants were and where they came from. But speculations are that they are militants of the Ambazonia defense forces, who are for some time now been clamoring to divide Cameroon and create a separate state of Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia.

The confirmation of the death of the four gendarmes brings to over 15 the number of uniform officers shot dead in Manyu division alone.

                Only weeks ago, four gendarmes were shot at the village of Agborkim German and about the same day two police officers were killed in Otu village. Both villages are along the borders with Nigeria.

                President Paul Biya was forced to cut short a visit to Cote d’Ivoire to rush home and declare war on the “terrorists” whom he said were passing for secessionists.

                Yet, President Biya’s declaration of a crackdown only seems to have invigorated the terrorists, who have continued to multiply their sporadic hit-and-run raids on different targets and in different localities in Manyu division.

                Many residents have fled their villages into the bushes and into neighboring Nigeria because of the escalation of hostilities.

Many voices both local and international have called for a stop to hostilities and for government to convene a frank, sincere and inclusive dialogue. It is hoped that President Biya will do so in the days head.