By Mbah Godlove, BaretaNews
The people of Bafut in Mezam County continue to live under a cloud of uncertainty and fear, one week after three soldiers of the French Cameroun occupation army were reportedly killed in Bujong, a locality situated near the historic Bafut Palace. The atmosphere across the county remains tense as memories of previous retaliatory attacks by colonial forces continue to haunt residents.
BaretaNews earlier reported intelligence suggesting that military commanders of the occupying regime in Yaoundé were considering a large-scale operation against the civilian population of Bafut should they fail to provide information on the whereabouts of Ambazonian Restoration Forces operating in the area. Following the deaths of the three colonial soldiers, reports indicate that heavily armed reinforcements have been assembled and placed on standby for deployment to Bafut in what many observers believe could be another revenge-driven military expedition.
Residents have since been urged to remain vigilant and limit unnecessary movement, particularly during evening hours. Although no major military action has yet been recorded since the incident, fear continues to spread among the local population. Many say they are living in anticipation of possible reprisals, given the long-standing pattern of collective punishment often inflicted on civilians whenever occupation forces suffer casualties in the conflict.
The anxiety gripping Bafut is rooted in painful experiences from previous years. On several occasions, French Cameroun occupation soldiers have responded to battlefield losses by targeting civilian communities. One of the most notable examples occurred at SAJOCAH, the renowned rehabilitation and educational center for persons with disabilities located in Mambu, Bafut. The institution has reportedly been raided multiple times by occupation forces, resulting in widespread destruction of property and repeated incidents of gunfire within the facility.
During the most recent attack in August 2025, the consequences were particularly devastating. The computer laboratory used by visually impaired learners was allegedly vandalized and looted, while the physiotherapy department was broken into and damaged. The institution, which serves some of the most vulnerable members of society, became yet another victim of the conflict.
Residents also recall the deadly attacks carried out in Nfoyah, another Bafut community, following the killing of two occupation soldiers in the area. Several civilians reportedly lost their lives during those operations, reinforcing fears that ordinary citizens often bear the consequences of military confrontations in Ground Zero.
