A separatist group has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack at Hospital Roundabout in Bamenda on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, which resulted in the death of one police officer and left several others injured, including another officer, a gendarme, and a civilian.
AgovC Claims Involvement via Social Media
Social media accounts identified as the Ambazonian Communications Network (ACN), linked to the Ambazonia Governing Council (AgovC), have since confirmed their involvement in the violence. The AgovC is the governing body of the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF), an armed group operating in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. The AgovC is led by Ayaba Cho Lucas, who is currently facing trial in Norway on charges of crimes against humanity.
In a series of online posts, the ACN celebrated the attack. Their initial message read: “ADF STRIKES HARD IN BAMENDA, HOSPITAL ROUND ABOUT + A NICE HARVEST”. This was followed by a more detailed statement attributed to Benedict Kuah, identified as the Chairman of the War Council.
Separatist Leader’s Statement
“ADF ALABUKAM BRIGADE HAS STROKE HARD: “ Let the Bulus announce their dead. We have confiscated the weapon they use to harass our citizens,” stated Benedict Kuah in the online post dated April 9, 2025. The term “Bulus” is often used by Ambazonia separatists to refer to members of the predominantly Francophone government security forces.
Casualty Toll Includes Security Forces and Civilian
Local sources confirmed the details of the attack, stating that the incident on April 9th resulted in one fatality and six casualties who went to the regional hospital. Among the injured are another police officer, a gendarme who is reportedly in critical condition, and a civilian who is receiving intensive care. Tragically, a student was also among those injured in the crossfire.
Escalating Tensions in Anglophone Region
The claim of responsibility by the AgovC and its military wing, the ADF, will, however, likely escalate tensions in the already volatile North West Region. The Anglophone Crisis, which began in 2016, has seen numerous clashes between separatist groups and government forces, leading to significant loss of life and displacement.
The military ambush in Ekona, located in the South West region, recently resulted in the deaths of four young men, with some identified as separatist fighters.
The brazen nature of the attack on a public area like Hospital Roundabout, however, highlights the continued security challenges facing the two regions. Authorities in Bamenda are yet to release an official statement on the claims made by the Ambazonian Communications Network.
Cameroonians, especially in the English-speaking regions, are apprehensive of these developments in Bamenda, particularly in light of the ongoing trial of Ayaba Cho Lucas in Norway for alleged serious human rights abuses. This latest incident is likely to further fuel concerns about the activities of the Ambazonia Defence Forces and the broader conflict in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.
