Search Intensifies for Batibo DO, Interim DO Installed

NW Governor with Momo SDO in Batibo

The Governor of the North West Region Adolphe Lele L'Afrique on Wednesday February 14, 2018 installed an interim DO for Batibo in the person of Ernest Nkwandze, appointed by President Paul Biya, to replace Marcel Namata, who was abducted on Feb. 11, 2018 by unknown gun men.

            Ernest Nkwenzeh, a civil administrator at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation was serving as first assistant to the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo.

            He has been tasked to restore peace and order in the locality by the Governor of the North West Region.While in Batibo, Adolphe Lele Lafrique mobilized stake holders towards the rescue of Marcel Namata.

            He equally paid a visit to the DO residence where he gave some words of encouragement to the wife and family. It emerge from the in- camera meeting with the the traditional rulers, parliamentarians, amongst others that steps have been taken to ensure that the DO is found. After the meeting the governor told the press that all measures have been taken to rescue the DO.

            He called on the population to work together with the forces of law and order. He said on the instructions of the Head of State, president Paul Biya he equally went to Batibo to comfort the population and the family of the abducted DO.

            It should be recalled that the Divisional Officer for Batibo sub division, Momo division of the North West Region Namata Joseph Diteng was kidnapped by yet to be identified gun men at the Batibo ceremonial ground Stand On February 11, 2018 at about 8am. As the story goes, the DO left his house around 7: 50 am to the grandstand to see for himself if all was set for the celebration of the 52nd edition of the National Youth.

            Eye witness account holds that upon arrival, gun men, masked and dressed in military uniforms took the DO  at gun point and escapes in his car. The carcass of the burnt car was later on discovered in a nearby village of Kuruku.

            Meanwhile, Dr. Thompson Kinge Njie,  the director for bamenda regional hospital has denied Rumors circulating that the remains of Marcel Namata Diteng is at the morgue of the institution.

            “Everything you’ve heard or read on social networks is just rumors,” said the director of the hospital.

            The doctor was reacting to reports that the body of Marcel Namata Diteng, the sub-divisional officer for Batibo had been found and placed in the regional hospital of Bamenda. The administrative authority was kidnapped on 11 February 2018 by what local reports confirm are radicalised youths and his remains have still not been found.