Where Are The ‘Terrorists’?

Growing Fears Sisikou and 46 Others May Not Be Alive

Ever since the government spokesman, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, on 29 January 2018, confirmed that the Ambazonia leaders arrested in Abuja, Nigeria, on 5 January 2018, are now in Yaounde and awaiting trial, voices have continued wondering why the government has neither disclosed their exact whereabouts nor shown pictures of them on TV to proof that they are truly here and safe.

By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde

Ambazonia Int. Gov’t Spokesman, Chris Anu

Are the leaders and fighters of the separatist Ambazonia movement that were arrested in Abuja Nigeria and airlifted to Yaounde still alive? That is the million dollar question on many lips in and out of Yaounde, one week after the government through its spokesperson, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, confirmed the separatist leaders are in Yaounde.

                In one of his shortest press outings ever, Issa Tchiroma convened both national and foreign journalists and told them that the Ambazonia leaders arrested in Abuja, Nigeria, on 5 January 2018, are now in Cameroon and have been handed to the country’s judiciary to answer for their crimes which include terrorism among other serious offences. Issa Tchiroma did not however say where exactly the secessionists are being kept in Yaounde.

                Many voices that spoke to this reporter said they had thought that after the confirmation by government, lawyers interested in defending the arrested secessionists could have access to them. They noted that this has not been the case. Not even family members have been allowed access to the leaders and fighters, The Median understands.

                Commentators said such incommunicado detention of the separatists only leaves the public in doubt and speculating whether or not the 47 persons are truly in Yaounde and alive.

                The fact that the Nigerian government has also remained mute on the issue only makes the situation more complex and intriguing.

                This newspaper has not stopped receiving calls from persons who say they do not trust the information given by the government spokesman. Some of the callers noted that even the state-run CRTV, also did not accompany its report on the extradition of the separatists with pictures showing their arrival at the Yaounde Nsimalen Airport or how they were being transported to their present detention camp.

                Others said it would make sense if the government can explain to both national and international public opinion why she is holding the separatists in secret despite claiming they have been handed over to the judiciary.

                “Mr. Journalist you say the government spokesman has confirmed the Anglophone leaders have been brought to Cameroon; did he also tell you where exactly the leaders are being held? And why has CRTV not shown any pictures of the secessionists so as to prove to the public that they are truly in Cameroon?” questioned a caller from Mamfe, who gave his name only as Ayuk Fidelis.

                It should be recalled that barely days to the deportation of the secessionists to Yaounde, Amnesty International issued a release in which it expressed fears the separatists risked torture and an unfair trial if ever they were extradited to Cameroon.

                “The leaders of the independence movement in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon could be at risk of torture and unfair trials if extradited from Nigeria, where they have been arrested and detained in secret for over one week,” Amnesty International said.

                “By holding the activists in secret, without charge, the Nigerian authorities are failing to respect both national and international law. If the activists are extradited to Cameroon they risk an unfair trial before a military court and the deeply disturbing possibility of torture,” Amnesty’s Nigerian Director, Osai Ojigho said, also suggesting that “efforts to tackle the Anglophone crisis should respect the law, and avoid restricting freedom of expression.”

                Meanwhile, the Secretary for Communication of the separatist Ambazonia movement, Chris Anu, in an outing on RFI last week, expressed fears some or all the abducted leaders might have been killed. Chris Anu questioned why the government after confirming the leaders are in Yaounde, is still holding them in secret. He also wondered why the number of persons that the government claims to have airlifted to Yaounde does not tally with the total number of persons abducted in Nigeria.

                According to Chris Anu, 39 persons were first abducted in Jalingo, Taraba state, Nigeria, and 12 others in Abuja, Nigeria, making a total of 51 persons.

                “So if Issa Tchiroma says 47 persons have been brought to Yaounde, where are the others? Have they been killed?” Chris Anu wondered aloud, urging the government to show proof the leaders and fighters are alive and safe. He said if this is not done before today, Monday 5 February 2018, the Yaounde should be ready for the worst.

                 Yet, in the midst of the speculations and doubts about the safety and/or the whereabouts of the separatist leaders, CRTV in a report last week said all the persons extradited are presently helping the Judicial Police in its investigations. The CRTV report said that all the separatists are hale and hearty, and are not undergoing any torture.