Expedient Security Measure:

BIRs to Escort Vehicles Along K’ba-Buea Highway

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Amba boys are now K’ba-Buea

Following the recurrent unrest along the Kunba-Buea highway, Meme SDO, Chamberlin Ntou’ou Ndong has suggested to the BIR to accompany vehicles travelling along the road, especially through the hotspots like Mbalangi, Ediki, Bombe, Banga, Muyuka, Ekona etc. The SDO made the suggestion during a crisis meeting he convened at his office at the weekend.  The meeting touched on other security issues but dwelled on the precarious security of commuters along the very busy highway, The Median learned.

            According to a security source, it was resolved at the meeting that beginning Tuesday 26 June 2018 all transport vehicles plying the highway will be escorted by the BIR right to Buea. Vehicles will takeoff from the Buea road Motor-park in Kumba at 9am prompt daily and will move in a convoy. Any drivers working contrary to this plan will have themselves to blame if their vehicles are attacked.

            The SDO’s suggestion has been received with mixed feelings by the population of Kumba especially business persons plying the said road daily.

            While some have saluted the decision saying it will help to           secure persons and their goods along the highway, others have dismissed the move, arguing that it may further provoke the wrath of the ‘wonded’ Amba hit-and-run boys.

            Some persons who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity revealed that the ‘Amba’ boys may tag passengers travelling in a military convoy as sellouts and could target them for killing and/or kidnapping.

“          What guarantees for protection of passengers if the Amba boys attack the convoy despite the presence of the BIR? a passenger at the Buea road Motor-park questioned rhetorically, noting that there are chances many passengers could get hurt or killed in the ensuing crossfire.

            The SDO’s decision is as a result of the rising prices of food and other basic commodities in Kumba caused by constant road blocks, harassment, kidnappings, burning of trucks, impounding of goods and extortion of money from businesspersons by the ‘Ambazonia’ forces along the highway. These have forced many businesspersons to suspend importation of goods from other regions into Kumba.

            In the wake of the acute food shortage and rising food prices in Kumba, the SDO has reassured the population that adequate measures would be contemplated and put in place to curb odd situation.         

             “We have received many complaints about sharp increases of food prices due to scarcity caused by security challenges faced by business persons on the Buea-Kumba highway. But you can rest assured we are contemplating new ways and means to ensure a smooth and regular supply of foodstuffs and other basic commodities in Kumba, despite the security challenges.”

            The decision to institute military patrols and escort of transport vehicles along the Kumba-Buea highway comes after a recent military operation that successfully dismantled the road blocks mounted by the Amba boys and opened the highway once again to commuters. The highway had been blocked for almost a week, leaving thousands of commuters stranded at both ends of the road. The road block that started on Friday 15 June 2018 was only dismantled on Wednesday the 20th. 

            Many were forced to trek several kilometres to complete their journey. Others were forced to postpone their trips and business rendez-vous. At least 20 heavy duty trucks were set ablaze along the highway by the ‘Ambazonia’ fighters while at least 900 bags of rice were burnt and some 7 cows confiscated from cattle transporters along the highway. Some of the herdsmen were kidnapped.