Two respected traditional leaders of the Nso Palace’s secret Ngumba society, known as Ngwerong, have entered their eighth day in captivity under Ambazonian separatists led by a self-styled “Commander Cameleon.” The leaders were abducted on Thursday, January 9, 2025, while returning from Douala in a public transport vehicle.
According to sources, the armed separatists intercepted the vehicle and forcibly removed the two leaders, Shey Komi and Shey Mbisen, taking them to their camp in Wainamah. While the reasons for their abduction remain unclear, reports suggest that Commander Cameleon and his group are demanding a hefty ransom for the duo’s release.
This incident has intensified tensions in the region, where Cameleon and his militia are notorious for harassing civilians and extorting money from drivers and passengers along the Banso-Bamenda road. Local transporters, who have long endured threats and brutality, are now planning a strike to protest the kidnappings and ongoing violence.
A Reign of Terror
Commander Cameleon, described by residents as one of the wealthiest and most ruthless separatist leaders in the Bui Division, has built his fortune through kidnapping, extortion, and other criminal activities. Over the course of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, he and his fighters have become a symbol of fear, with an alleged track record of killing seven civilians in captivity.
The abduction of he two Sheys, therefore, adds to the growing list of atrocities committed by the separatist group. Many in the region view this act as a direct attack on their cultural heritage, given the revered status of the Ngwerong society within the Nso Kingdom.
Mounting Frustration and Calls for Action
Residents and road users in the affected areas are growing increasingly desperate. Drivers who regularly ply the Nso-Bamenda road say they can no longer endure the constant harassment and extortion.
One driver, speaking to MMI under anonymity due to fear of retaliation, declared, “Enough is enough.” “We are risking our lives daily just to make a living, but Cameleon and his men treat us like prey and cash cows.”
The planned strike could disrupt vital transportation routes and further strain an already precarious humanitarian situation in the region.
A Community in Distress
The Anglophone Crisis, which began as a peaceful protest for greater autonomy, has spiralled into a protracted conflict, marked by widespread violence and human rights abuses. Armed groups like those under Commander Cameleon’s have taken advantage of the chaos to expand their influence and amass wealth, often at the expense of civilians.
