Mbonge, South West Region:

Kwakwa Villagers Flee as Soldiers Set Houses Ablaze

-DO, Mayor, Chiefs, School Principal also flee to safety

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Since Sunday 14 January 2018 that Ambazonia soldiers took over control of all the security checkpoints along the Kumba-Mbonge road, resulting to an immediate counter attack from government forces, the number of displaced persons has risen to thousands and with many casualties recorded on both sides.

                In a bid to recover the seized checkpoints at Kwa-Kwa, Bai Bakundu junction and at Kombone Bakundu from the ‘Ambazonia’ soldiers, there was heavy gunfire exchange between government forces and the separatist fighters.

                The Divisional Officer for Mbonge, Alain Serge BikieBefolo who had boasted to the population how he was a fighter and cannot be frightened by Odeshi fighters, is said to have escaped to Kumba through the bushes. He was accompanied by close to ten military officers.

                The DO is said to have escaped passing through Mboko to Muyenge before arriving Kumba. He was recently spotted in a hotel in Kumba where he is said to have sought refuge.

                The Mayor and traditional ruler of Mbonge, Daniel Matta is also reported to have run for his life. He is now running his chiefdom and council from his hideout in Kumba.

                The principal of GBHS Mbonge who was also chased away by unknown persons, was said to have lost his way in the bushes. He only later traced his way thanks to GPS technology in his mobile phone.

                The Median gathered from displaced Kwa-Kwa residents in Kumba that military officers in retaliation to the killing of their colleagues set ablaze buildings in Kwa-Kwa forcing villagers to flee to nearby bushes and distant areas for safety.

                Our sources also revealed that the military men set the houses ablaze believing that the Ambazonia fighters were hosted there.

A security source revealed to this reporter that the soldiers’ intention was to wipe out Kwa-Kwa from the Cameroon map.

SOROUBAT worker, others killed

                As a result of the sporadic gun exchanges, a worker of the SOROUBAT Company in charge of tarring the Kumba-Ekondo-Titi road was shot dead. We gathered that the worker was caught by a stray bullet from the military officers who were pursuing separatist fighters.

                 Other casualties were reported on both sides. Several military officers were ferried to the Kumba District Hospital while others were taken to a hospital in Mile one Kumba.

                Inside sources at the Kumba District hospital the seriousness of the situation has led to the creation of a special unit that handles only victims from the war.