-Hundreds of families displaced as soldiers battle
separatists for two days
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
Hundreds of families living around the Mile One and
Mbonge road neighbourhoods in Kumba have been displaced after been forced to
leave their houses for fear of been caught by stray bullet from the sounds of
deafening gunshots. This follows continuous gun battle between government
forces and unknown gunmen in Kumba that lasted two days beginning the night of
Wednesday July 11 through Thursday breaking Friday.
The gun
battle we gathered was caused by the announced visit of the Defence Minister,
Joseph Beti Assomo to the newly created military base in Small Ekombe, Mbonge
Sub-Division. The gun battle according to inhabitants of the said
neighbourhoods is the worst since the beginning of the crisis. It is the second
time inhabitants of the said areas are forced to flee to others areas in Kumba.
Several
persons were spotted early Thursday morning with bags, matrasses and mats. Some
who talked to The Median said they were afraid of being caught in the crossfire
by stray bullets. Others revealed that they who live around the Mile One police
station had longed been warned by separatists to vacate the areas.
Still to
be confirmed reports also have it that inhabitants of Mbonge road and Nkamlikum
neighbourhoods have also been asked to quit their houses by unknown gunmen.
Inhabitants of the areas revealed that they were given one week to leave the
areas by unknown persons. As at now we cannot confirm while the unknown gunmen
are asking inhabitants to leave their houses though reports suggest the said
areas might be targeted for attacks.
Mile One Police Post Attacked
The
deadly gun battle on Wednesday night led to an attack at the Mile One police
station. Reports we gathered have it that fire was put on the building but it
was quickly put out. A source in the security milieu confirm to this reporter
that fire was set on the building but it was quickly put out thanks to the
intervention of the Kumba fire-fighters unit.
Pic
Defence Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo
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