Catholic Priest, Fr. Alex Sob, Shot Dead in Muyuka

By Boris Esono in Buea

Catholic Priest, Alexander Sob aka ‘Wonder Boy’, slain in Muyuka

The former Catholic Education Secretary and parish priest of Bomaka, Buea, has been shot dead.  Fr. Alaxander Nougi Sob popularly known as “Wonder Boy” was shot and killed in a cross fire on Friday 20 July 2018 in Muyuka.

            Reports indicate that he had gone to visit his mother in Muyuka. But he was picked by a stray bullet as he went out to collect something he forgot in his car.

Other reports said he was shot in a cross fire that ensued on his way back to Buea. The reports said Father Sob was asked to do a U-turn and return to Muyuka, but he continued on his journey. A stray bullet caught him on the left rib as he was driving along the Muyuka-Buea road. Sources say the shot was from the government forces. 

            “It happened Friday afternoon at Muyuka. He was shot by stray bullets during a military operation that has been ongoing in the area. He was rushed to the district hospital but gave up the ghost during the emergency surgery,” reported one of his colleagues.

            In one of his last homilies during a retreat with CWA women at Bojongo, Fr. Sob advised faithful to kill fear before fear kills them.

            Many people including parishioners have expressed deep sorrow and regret about the passing of the “spell-binding animator”, who is said to have mentored many young Christians.

            “Humans are dying every day as preparations are heightening ahead of the 7 October presidential election. A man of God has been killed like a thief. Soon they will say CPDM has won in the SW. Which SW? The one in Yaoundé or in Douala? You (security forces) are killing us, who will vote the president?” 

            Only last Saturday 14 July 2018, a pastor from Accra, Ghana on evangelical mission was shot and killed by the Cameroonian military. Pastor Isaac Attoh of the Destiny Impact Ministry was killed in Batibo in the North West region. Reports say hundreds of civilians have been killed since the start of the Anglophone crises in late 2016.

            Fr. Alexander Sob was former parish priest of Buea parish and later parish priest of Bomaka until his demise.  He is a PhD student in the University of Buea, where he was the best graduating Master’s student of his department. He was a radio anchor at Mt. Cameroon FM. He was also an educationist and a former principal of Regina Pacis College Mutengene, apart from his other capacities.