Killings, Kidnappings, Burnings Galore in NW
By Njodzefe Nestor in B’da
Military and “Amba fighters” atrocities in the North West
region have unfortunately increased despite Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute’s
peace mission to the region in which he promised that President Biya had
accepted to dialogue.
Not
only has the number of those who have been killed by military and separatist
fighters soared, but the rate of kidnapping for ransom has increased and the
burning of houses and property has skyrocketed. While this continues unabated,
the population continues to suffer the consequences.
On Wednesday
May 15, soldiers stormed the Ntambeng, Alachu, Mile 8, Muwatsu airport road
areas and burned down houses of individuals including shops as well as a
hospital.
Reports
say they came when suspected Ambazonia fighters killed two soldiers around that
area. When the soldiers arrived there while the suspected Ambazonia fighters
had gone, in their anger, they allegedly turned on the local population who
were reportedly uncooperative, destroying and burning down almost everything
found on their way.
On Tuesday
May 21st, a tutor Vincent Wountaia teacher of Geography and History at
Government Bilingual High School (GBHS) Nitop was killed and beheaded. His head
was dropped at the Mobile Nkwen vicinity in Bamenda. No group has claimed
responsibility for the act for there has been accusations and counter
accusations from the government and separatists.
Unconfirmed
narratives hold that, his killers abducted him thinking he was military
personnel. The tutor is said to have pleaded in vain to explain his identity.
Yet in
the face of rising condemnation from Cameroonians over the act, another
controversial video has emerged showing the torture administered on the
deceased before he was killed.
At
least nine persons are reported to have lost their lives with shops and houses
razed Thursday May 23, 2019 in Esu, Menchum Division.Sources say the killings
and destruction followed hours of gun battles between Cameroonian defence and
security forces and Ambazonian fighters.
“Most
of the bodies were only discovered later after soldiers had left the area. The
military fired gunshots shattering windows and damaging equipment at the Esu
health centre…” a local supposedly alleged.
In
addition to the killings and destruction of property, kidnapping for ransom
especially students and teachers has also increased.
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