11 Students, Staff Freed After 14 Days in Separatist Captivity

Eleven students and a lecturer of the St. Lawrence University Institute who were abducted by separatist fighters in the Northwest Region have been released.

They spent over 14 days in separatist captivity, MMI has learnt.

A press release dated November 19, 2024, from the board of trustees of St. Lawrence University Institute Ndop confirmed the release of the abducted students and staff.

The abduction occurred at Baba 1, Ngoketunjia Division of the North West region.

According to a previous release dated November 9, signed by Dr. Oscar C. Labang, President of the Labang Education Foundation, the institution’s board of trustees announced that “they were kidnapped by Ambazonian fighters in Baba 1 and led to the nearby bushes, while the group was onboard motorbikes en route to Babessi for an education outreach program in line with their studies.”

Following the liberation, the school management has assured the population that “the students and staff are safe” and the university community is relieved.

However, the institution did not state how their freedom was secured.

The board has thus announced plans to convene an extraordinary session to evaluate the security situation at the Ndop Campus and address operational challenges, ensuring the continued safety of staff and students.

Security in Ndop and other parts of the Northwest region remained a challenge since the start of the Anglophone crisis, which had escalated, resulting in numerous kidnappings, killings, and destruction of property.

Education, like other trades in the region, has been greatly affected.

Mimi Mefo Info