Police Officer killed in Mutengene

Officer Ekanjume

Soldiers, Amba fighters, civilians also fall in Sunday shootouts in NW & SW

A senior police officer has been shot dead at his residence in Mutengene. Officer Ekanjume, a Bakossi from Kupe Muanenguba division of the South West region was shot early morning Sunday by unknown persons.

Ekanjume was killed in the presence of his daughter, who pleaded unsuccessfully with the killers to spare his father’s life.

            The town of Mutengene went restive following the news of the police officer’s killing on Sunday morning. Reports said the atmosphere in the notorious and crime-prone town remained uncertain throughout the day.

            Expectations were that a massive security crackdown will be launched in the hours ahead.

            Elsewhere, soldiers invaded the town of Tombel Sunday morning as Amba fighters brutally killed 3 gendarme officers.

            The soldiers started shooting indiscriminately forcing locals to escape their homes into the bushes.

            One Amba fighter was killed in the shootout in Tombel, while 2 civilians were also killed and many houses set ablaze in Mboh quarters. Gunshots continued in Tombel until press time yesterday.

            Meanwhile, in Esu, Fungom sub-division in Menchum division, NW region, 4 gendarmes were reportedly shot dead including a brigade commander who was attacked in a hotel room. An Amba fighter was also killed.

            Many youth of Esu have escaped into the bushes following the incidents.

            Also in Menchum, the DO of Benakuma, Lokombe Derek Mwanjo has been reported missing. He was said to have been kidnapped on Sunday morning alongside the YCPDM president.

            No official statements have been made about the killings in the two regions on this black Sunday.