Following their kidnapping by militants from the Ambazonia separatist movement more than a week ago, five prominent residents of Chomba, a village in the troubled North West region of Cameroon, are still missing.
Local sources report that the abducted individuals include T’a Ntume, a village council elder; Fon Tara, the father of a former separatist fighter; Annu Samson, president of the Chomba Cultural and Development Association; Peter Atoh, who manages the local water project; and a local church pastor.
The abductions occurred shortly after a military raid killed a prominent separatist leader, known as General 5-Star. The kidnapping may link to the recent surrender of Nji Tara, a former separatist fighter, to the government’s Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) Center—a decision that seems to have angered the separatist forces.
No demands have surfaced, and the captives’ locations remain a mystery. Sources suggest that someone targeted the five over allegations of collaborating with government forces.
The isolated community of Chomba has witnessed significant separatist activity, and it also hosts a military post. Both the separatists and government forces have faced allegations of violence against unarmed civilians, including kidnappings, extortion, killings, and harassment. This ongoing conflict has placed immense strain on the region, with both sides accused of various human rights violations.
