War on separatists: Mayhem in Meme

BY TALLA AGHAA CHRISTOPHER and DANIELLA NEBA NGUM

Monday, 22nd January, 2018 Reports.

Meme Division of the South West Region, more especially in the towns and villages of Kwa Kwa,Kombone Bakundu and Kombone mission all the Kumba –Ekondo-Titi- Mundemba high ways has for the past week, gone down history as some of the places that witnessed serious clashes between the Cameroon Defence forces and armed groups believed to be members of the Ambazonia Defense Force.

The confrontations recorded serious casualties from both sides leaving many persons homeless and internally displaced. Many of them sought refuge in nearby villages and dense forests.
According to Makia Peter, a notable of Mbo Barombi village, some 500 people have fled into the village for safety, resulting in hardship in the area.

Confrontations between the military and separatist groups believed to be members of the Ambazonia Defence Force began in Manyu. Villagers from Kembong, Agborkem German, Dadi, Akwaya and others are already registered as refugees in Nigeria after fleeing from violence.
Many had thought that the situation in Manyu had been contained considering the recent visit of the Minister of Defense, Joseph Beti Assomo and the heavy deployment of troops to the area. The battle front has seemingly shifted to Meme.

It all started with the killing of the 3rd class Chief of Ngongo village, HRH Chief Ekebe Johannes, in Mbonge Sub Division at awe hours of Friday January 12th, 2018 while at the funeral of his colleague of Kwa Kwa, Chief Tukwa Manfred. THE SUN gathered that the murder was allegedly committed by “Amba soldiers” around a sawmill at the entrance to Bole Bakundu.

The news occasioned the deployment of troops to the area the next day. Kwa Kwa was therefore transformed into a “war zone”,with about 30 military trucks and pick-ups with soldiers armed to the teeth. They stormed Kwa Kwa making rounds in a military helicopter. The confrontation was intense. Constant gunshots forced villagers to flee to neigbouring villages for protection. When THE SUN visited the Kumba hospital, nurses on duty were busy handling several complicated cases of victims while others were transported to Douala.

Kwa Kwa village razed to the ground

A 96 –year –old woman, Mami Appih Paulina, was consumed by the fire in her house as she was unable to flee like others; thesasme fate befell an alleged mentally deranged, Tebeck Felix. The Assistant Parish Priest of St Paul Catholic Church of Kwa Kwa, Rev.Father Ndode Emmanuel equally escaped death as the entire presbytery was equally set ablaze reportedly by elements of the Cameroon military. Reports hold that priest was in Kumba for Cathedral duties. Veteran Journalist and one of Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalist, CAMASEJ founding fathers, Dat William Diony said four of his permanent buildings had gone up in flames. Property and money belonging to the inhabitants, most of whom are farmers was allegedly consumed by the fire.

‘Amba’ soldiers mount control checkpoints.

The unidentified men who took over control of parts of Mbonge Sub Division for the past week are known as “Isakabas”. They mounted five checkpoints along this highway. THE SUN observed that checkpoints were mounted in Kwa-Kwa, Kombone Bakundu,and in Lorbor junction at the entrance to Bao Bakundu. These “Isakabas” guys, had axes, cutlasses and den guns, as weapons.
At each of their illegal checkpoints, all passengers onboard had to identify themselves. If they discovered that a passenger was of the Cameroon Defense force, the said soldier danced to their molestation rhythm.

A military man from Mundemba was seriously beaten and rushed to the Kumba District Hospital for medical attention. A Prison warder attached to the Kumba Principal Prison, Ngong Promise, is currently on a two week technical leave after suffering the same. He was on assignment at the Mundemba court, Wednesday January 17th, 2018 with one of the inmates awaiting trial at the Kumba Prison. He was forced to unfetter the inmate to take his own destination. THE SUN gathered that they called the Kumba Prison Boss and informed him of Ngong’s case, warning that their next stop will be at the Kumba Prisons.

A worker of SOROUBAT, Claude, received a stray bullet in the line of duty and was rushed to the Kumba Hospital. Meanwhile at Ikilinwindi Mile 10 in Konye Sub Division, a forestry guard was shot dead at the forestry checkpoint while a security guard at the health center suffered the same.
Barrister Ambeno revealed that he was taken aback as to what he saw on his way to Kumba on Wednesday January 17th. “I just alighted from the vehicle with my National Identity Card handy to avoid hesitation when asked. I am confused whether the Amba soldiers are now in control because they have about five checkpoints on that highway. Strangely, they did not ask for any settlement dues from drivers”, he recounted to The SUN.

Five Meme chiefs declared ‘wanted’

As the sporadic exchange of gunfire between ‘Amba soldiers’ and Cameroon Defense Forces continues, some Meme traditional rulers have been declared wanted by the Amba soldiers for not supporting their moves. They claim the chiefs have sent their names to the powers for subsequent arrests. The chiefs who have taken refuge in nearby villages include the 2nd Class chief of Mbonge Marumba, HRH Chief Daniel Matta Mokambe who equally doubles as Mayor of Mbonge Council, HRH Chief Ndedi Penda of Pete Bakundu, Chiefs Eric Ndosah Sakwe of Kombone Bakundu, Moka Hans of Kombone Mission, Fredrick Motanga of Foe Bakundu, Maurice Ngenjia of Bole Bakundu and the Chief of Mbonge Mekete in Konye Sub Division.Kwa Kwa has become the centre of hostilities. It has an estimated population of 5000.Unconfirm reports hold that soldiers entered the village on Thursday 18th,Jaurary, 2018 and set the entire village ablaze.

Thousands rendered homeless

Thousands of people have been rendered homeless in Kwa Kwa Bakundu, a village in Mbonge Sub-Division in Meme Division as their houses were set ablaze by military officers while they battled with unidentified separatists rumored to be impenetrable by bullets. The confrontation characterized by gunfire exchanges between the military and Ambazoonian ‘odeshi’ fighters spanned from January 15 to 18, 2017. According to our sources in neighbouring villages, over 85% of houses have been burned to ashes including; the Apostolic Church Kwa kwa Bakundu, the residence of the Catholic Priest, making a desert of the village. Meanwhile, major causalities have been reported in the village as a result of the burnings. A 95 year old woman was reportedly caught in the flames and burnt to death. Images of her grieving family and neighbours continue to make rounds on the social media.

Villagers flee for safety

As the crisis persists in the Sub-Division, a number of villagers have taken permanent residence in bushes while others have fled to neighbouring towns for the same.Traditional rulers in Mbonge Sub-Division who have been receiving anonymous messages threatening their lives and those of their family members long sought refuge in Kumba and other major towns.

Gendarme officer killed in Mbonge

Reports also claim that a Gendarme officer was killed as a result of military confrontation with Ambazonian ‘odeshi’ fighters in Mbonge.The open confrontation between the military and civilians claimed lives, leaving many others injured.

Travelers left stranded

The unforeseen incidence also left travelers stranded as drivers heading for Mbonge from Kumba and those from Kumba to Mbonge were unable to embark on their journeys.Only a few vehicles that moved during the early hours of the day succeeded to transport passengers. Even company automobiles were denied use of the road.Business people who could not travel for their trade are feeling the pinch firsthand.

Kumba–ekondo titi road project suspended prematurely

Construction work on the Kumba-Ekondo Titi stretch of road has been suspended indefinitely. The suspension comes after a worker was allegedly shot dead while working along the roadside during random shootings between the military and Ambazonian ‘odeshi fighters’, The Sun learnt.

Kumba panics as attacks draw near

Denizens in Kumba have expressed fear following the recent happenings and security threats in neighbouring villages. They fear the battles might leave villages to the divisional headquarters like Kumba in no time. Most inhabitants are on the verge of implementing proactive measures as some can been seen shopping for food items to stock at home while others are contacting relatives in other towns to arrange for relocation just in case such an incident reoccurs.

Two shot dead in Konye gunfire

At least two persons have been reported dead at Ikiliwindi, a village in Konye Sub-Division, after gunfire exchange between government military forces and unknown gunmen.The unforeseen incident occurred around 8:00am on Tuesday January 16, as unidentified gunmen fired bullets at random around a weighing station under construction along the Kumba-Mamfe highway. The two victims include a support staff at the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Elvis Ndode Ajang who was shot around the Forestry control post and a security guard whose identity The Sun could not immediately get.

Reports hold that Ndode who was mistaken for a security officer ran for safety at the time of the shooting but his lifeless body was only found within an Indian bamboo bush. Meanwhile the security guard was shot during a gunfire exchange between military forces and the unknown gunmen.
After the open confrontation with the military the unknown gunmen to have dived into the bushes and later surfaced at the Konye Council Control Post minutes after.

The Sun gathered that the gunmen destroyed the revenue collection books and made away with a motorcycle of a revenue collector of the Konye Council.Meanwhile, it is reported that as security forces battle with the unidentified gunmen out of Ikiliwindi village, inhabitants especially the youths fled into the bushes. Gunfire exchange triggered the mass escape. As we went to press calm had returned to Ikiliwindi thanks to military intervention.