Jubilation in Nso as Sehm Mbinglo Is Freed

 The paramount ruler of Nso in Bui Division of the North West region has been released after spending 6 days in captivity. HRH Sehm Mbinglo II was set free on Tuesday, 10 November 2020, shortly before midday.
    

HRH Sehm Mbinglo II

No ransom was paid to secure the fon’s release, according to the SDO for Ngoketunjia, Haddison Quetong, who said he spoke with the Fon shortly after his release.
    “The Fon was released between 10 and 11 am at the periphery where he was captured alongside Cardinal Tumi. He told me his release was normal and not based on any condition,” the SDO told CRTV.
    “The initial plan was for the Fon to go to Bamenda and have some rest and also do his medical checks, but when news came from Kumbo that hundreds of people had gathered in front of the Palace waiting to welcome the fon, we asked him to first head to Kumba and even greet and reassure his people before returning to Bamenda. But the Fon’s advisers insisted that he goes to Bamenda and spend some during which preparations could be made towards his eventual return to his Palace in Kumbo,” Haddison Quetong said further.
    Uncertainty had gripped the air in Nso when the Fon was not forth coming 5 days after his capture.
    Reports on social media said a serious lockdown was to begin if the Fon was not released by the end of Tuesday.  
    The message accused the ‘Ngwerong’, the higest traditional society in Nso, of collaborating with the separatists to kidnap the Fon.
    Disappointed that the government could not secure the Fon’s release, the people of Nso promised to engage a fierce battle with the separatist fighters if just to get Sehm Mbinglo’s freedom.
    Given that the abduction took place in Baba II, Ngoketunjia division, the people of Nso accused the Baba community of working with separatist fighters to humiliate their Fon and the people of Nso.
    Yet, while performing cleansing rites to prepare the palace for the fon’s return last month, the ‘Nwerong’ denounced Sehm Mbinglo’s involvement in politics. They reckoned that the Fon’s involvement in politics only undermines his role as the custodian of the culture and tradition of the Nso people.
    Fon Sehm Mbinglo II, Christian Cardinal Tumi and others were kidnapped in Baba village on 5 November on their way to Kumbo from Bamenda. Cardinal Tumi was released the following day but the Fon remained in captivity.
    In a video released at the weekend by separatists, the Fon was shown undergoing grilling by the separatists. In an answer to one of the questions, Sehm Mbinglo stood his grounds that he stands for a one and united Cameroon. He however opined that government should first do everything to restore peace before asking children to go to school.