Anglophone uprising:

Three Die as Amba Tigers Humiliate SDO in Bangem

-Population flee to the bushes for safety as soldiers hunt for traditional doctor suspected of fortifying Amba hit-and-run boys with ‘bolo’

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Recent chaos in Bangem, Divisional headquarters of Kupe Muanenguba Division has left three civilians dead and several others alongside the SDO with injuries.

                The incident started on Tuesday when a group of youths armed with sticks and matchetes stormed GBHS Bangem chasing away students and teachers from the school campus. We gathered that the irate youths said they didn’t want any activities related to the Youth Day or bilingualism week to be organised in the Division. The youths got the principal of GBHS, Menge Richard Nkar, severely beaten, it was reported.

                Upon arriving at the school after he was hinted of the attack by the youths, the SDO for Kupe Muaneguba and the DO for Bangem were taken hostage by the youths who numbered over 100. They held the administrators for several hours, forcing them to respect humiliating orders, as the populations watched in utter fright and awe.

                Unable to bear the humiliation, the SDO sustained tried to fight back but ended up with an injured arm. Sources said the SDO suffered paralysis as he tried to seize and break a magical stick that one of the youths was carrying along.

                The incident then spilled over to Wednesday when three youths were shot dead by local forces from Bangem and several others injured.

                The SDO for Kupe Muanenguba is reported to have been very angry with the Bakossi military commander who was dispatched to Bangem by helicopter to quell the uproar on Tuesday. The SDO questioned why the soldiers did not open fire upon their arrival.

                It is alleged that the Bangem military captain was sidelined by the SDO on Wednesday and instead gave orders to his subordinate to open fire on the civilian mob.

                Another version from Bangem villagers holds that the SDO ordered local Gendarmes to shoot at the rampaging youths. The shootout left three dead and several others injured on Wednesday.

                While Bangem was left to mourn its dead, the battle ground reportedly shifted to Babubock, a locality some 15km from Bangem along the rugged Bangem-Nguti road. We learnt soldiers were ferried there by helicopter while others descended there on foot.

                Reports upon arrival of the troops, villagers of Bambubock all fled their homes into the bushes.

                Meanwhile, the soldiers have begun a manhunt for a local ‘jazzman’ by name “A Rock” who is believed to be the one fortifying the youths with magical concoctions.