Sunday 27 May 2018

May 20 Tit-bits


Five minutes march past in Tombel
The national day celebrations were nothing to write home about in many areas across the restive Northwest and Southwest Regions of the country. This was as a result of threats from ‘Amba’ hit and run boys who instilled fear in the minds of inhabitants.
            In Tombel in the Kupe Muanenguba Division, the celebration started at 2pm and lasted for barely five minutes. This was because of heavy gunfire exchange between Amba boys and government forces. The gun battle lasted for close to four hours before giving way for the march past that lasted for barely five minutes and saw only the military marching.
            The deafening gun battle left many inhabitants of Tombel escaping to the bushes while others fled to nearby Loum in East Cameroon. The Divisional Officer of Tombel, Leonard Nyam condemned the shooting and called for peace and a return to normalcy. 

Hitch-free march past in Mundemba, Ndian
Despite the poor turnout of the population for the march past in Mundemba, the events witnessed any major incidents as was the case in other parts of the Southwest region. Prior to the D-day on 20th May, the SDO for Ndian, Fowang Lawrence, had organised a sports walk in the town to sensitize the population on the need for peace and harmony during the events.


Bangem Mayors kidnapped
In Bangem, headquarter of Kupe Muanenguba Division, the march pass was nothing to write home about. The march pass was marred as news broke out on Saturday May 19 that the first deputy Mayor of Bangem whose names we only got as Enongene was kidnapped alongside his Mayor. They were kidnapped as they went out mobilizing CPDM militants to come out and participate in the celebrations. The two were only released a day after the celebration.

No March Past in Ekona & Muyuka
In Ekona and Muyuka in Fako Division there was no celebration at all as clashes between Ambazonia fighters and government forces forced the populations to run for their lives. We gathered that the DO of Muyuka sent word to the governor that the town was not secure enough to host any celebration. A police officer by name Moulong Azang Jean Jacques was injured in the course of the gun battle, according to reports.
            In Lebialem Division, there are reports of the arrest of the Delegate of Transport and the deputy Senior Divisional Officer. We got report that no May 20 celebration took place in the area because of the tensed atmosphere.
            In the Northwest region, there were clashes in Santa that led to the death of some armed separatists in the early hours of the morning. A video circulated on social media screened forces of law and order jubilating after successfully overpowering the separatists.
            Elsewhere in Batibo, there was also reported clashes ahead of May 20 celebrations. This was coupled with a serious ghost town that combined to mar the events.

Konye grandstand & DO’s office burnt
            Few days to the celebration of 20th May, the municipal grandstand in Konye was set ablaze by yet unidentified persons. 
            The grandstand was burnt on the night of Tuesday 15 May breaking Wednesday 16 May 2018. The incident happened barely days after the Divisional Officer of Konye, Epimba Blessed Ekole presided over a meeting with stakeholders to prepare for the celebrations.
            Meantime, gun battles were reported between security forces and ‘Ambazonia’ hit and run boys in Konye on Saturday May 19. Unconfirmed reports said a stray bullet caught a lady in the cause of the crossfire.
            On thesame Saturday 19 May, the Chief of Matoh Butu, a village in Konye subdivision, was kidnapped by unknown persons. The chief was abducted after he participated in the preparatory meeting called by the Konye DO. His abductors promised to free him only after May 20 celebrations, we learned.
            In the early morning of Sunday 20 May, the Konye DO’s office caught fire. The cause of the fire was not immediately established. The Meme SDO blamed the fire on ‘Ambazonia’ separatists and promised to storm the area and ensure that peace returns.



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