On the night of March 17, 2025, the Cameroonian military has carried out a controversial raid in Baba 1 that left two civilians, and a separatist fighter, dead. The operation also involved the burning of several motorcycles. Baba I is a village in the Ngohketunjia Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Local residents have voiced grave concerns about what they describe as an indiscriminate military operation amid a long-standing crisis in the region.
The Incident
Residents in Baba 1 reported waking up to the sound of gunshots. As they stepped out of their homes, they found that three people lay dead. The locals identified one of the deceased as an “Amba boy,” a local term for a separatist fighter.
Meanwhile, they discovered that the other two were civilians from the same household, known in the community as Sha Raymond and Sha Ma.
“After that, we discovered 3 killed by the military after their raid. One Amba boy and 2 civilian blood brothers from the same house, same mother, and same father,” a resident told MMI.
Another community member explained, “Sha means senior in our language.”
Eyewitnesses also noted that Sha Ma was living with a disability.
“He is disabled. One of his legs was shorter than the other,” one told MMI.
Historical and Political Context
The incident comes against the backdrop of the Anglophone crisis that has destabilised Cameroon for nearly a decade. Deep-seated grievances among the country’s English-speaking population trace the roots of the conflict. They have long accused the predominantly French-speaking government of systemic marginalisation and neglect. Since the crisis escalated in 2016, a surge in separatist activity has prompted a heavy-handed military response in several disputed areas.
Local communities in regions like Baba 1 have frequently reported incidents of violence, extrajudicial killings, and property destruction, with both sides of the conflict. The Cameroon military and separatist fighters have both been accused of human rights abuses. The military insists that its operations target separatist elements, but residents maintain that such raids often result in unintended casualties among civilians.
Political analysts warn that each violent episode further deepens local mistrust and exacerbates an already volatile situation.
Local Impact and Uncertain Future
In Baba 1, the recent killings have reignited fears within the community about the military’s operational tactics and the broader implications for the region’s future. Local residents express concern that such operations not only result in tragic losses but also stoke the flames of a conflict that has already claimed countless lives. The incident, occurring in an area that has witnessed years of tension and sporadic violence, may further isolate communities and intensify calls for greater accountability from the government.
With no official comment from Cameroonian authorities at the time of this report, questions remain about the justification of the operation and its impact on the fragile peace in the region. As the Anglophone crisis continues to unfold, residents of Baba 1 and similar communities brace for what might come next in an already turbulent landscape.
