Konye Municipality:

15 Million Ransom Demanded from Kidnapped Councilors

By Ekoko Willies in Kumba

Gunmen posing as separatist fighters have demanded FCFA 15 million ransom from some kidnapped municipal councilors and Staff of the Konye Council in Meme Division. The information filtered from two of the drivers who transported the kidnapped persons to Konye.

                The victims include five councilors and four staff of the council among whom is a relative of the Mayor, Dr. Musima George Lobe.

                The unfortunate incident occurred at Weme Mbonge village, where separatist fighters had lined up at the speed brake waiting for the unsuspecting victims, who were returning to Kumba after taking part in the council session dedicated to elect the new Mayor and his deputies. 

                The first vehicle that carried the municipal Treasurer of the Council and two other occupants was shot by the gunmen but the bullet got instead the dashboard, permitting the driver to escape at top speed.

                The second vehicle fell into the dragnet of the fighters, who drove it into the bush. The third car upon seeing the incident quickly reversed and sped off, but unfortunately it ran into another group of gunmen at Kokaka who also drove it into the bushes.

                The vehicles were thus impounded by the gunmen, who are demanding FCFA 1.5 from each of the ten captives.  

                Kidnapping has become a regular occurrence in the Konye council area, where council staffs are harassed continuously by the gunmen.

                Last year some council technicians were taken hostage at Kurume while carrying out feasibility studies for the rehabilitation of roads in the area. They were only released after spending four nights in the forest with the gunmen.