By Tata Mbunwe
Anye Nde Nsoh’s dedication to his journalistic profession was evidenced even in his last moments on earth. He died holding on to one of the biggest weapons available to journalists – their microphone.
This revelation was contained in a statement by the Cameroon Association of English-speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ), who on Monday, paid a condolence visit to the family of journalist Anye Nde Nsoh. During the visit, it was also uncovered that the slain journalist was an orphan.
A delegation led by CAMASEJ Bamenda Chapter President, Muma Jude, met his aunt who remained devastated by his death.
Anye, a sports reporter and writer with The Advocate Newspaper, was shot dead in Bamenda on Sunday evening by gunmen who identified as Ambazonia separatist fighters.
An eyewitness told CAMASEJ a microphone lay near his body as he dropped dead after being shot in the chest. He had bumped into two armed men at a bar, who opened fire on him.
“Anye Nde Nsoh was moonlighting as a hypeman (a hobby) at a pub near his house. He came in Sunday evening to do his thing (hypeman) as usual. But the batteries of his microphone were weak. He decided to go and get a new set. He took along the microphone. When he was out, two gunmen stormed the pub and identified themselves as separatist fighters (also known as Amba Boys). The two gunmen ordered all the occupants out of the pub. They also ordered vendors out of a bakery attached to the pub at gunpoint. While returning to the bar, Anye bumped into the gunmen who opened fire, shooting him in the chest. The microphone was found close to his body,” CAMASEJ said, quoting an eyewitness.
CAMASEJ condemned his killing and called for immediate investigations. The association also said journalists working in the North-west and South-west Regions, where an armed conflict has persisted for over six years now, should not despair but remain cautious while going about their work.
Journalists and journalism associations have condemned Anye’s killing, stating it is yet another ugly instance of attacks increasing against journalists in the country.