A kingmaker in Big Babanki whose name we are withholding for security reasons has distanced himself from claims made by the Fon that he consulted with the Kingmakers and other notables to bring in defense and security forces to the village.
The reaction comes after public outrage in the locality and beyond over the massacre of at least twelve civilians, including a sub-chief by the military.
Fon Benjamin Vutsiboung, on May 19th, 2023, reportedly wrote a letter to the North West Governor, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique, requesting an immediate deployment of government forces to the village of Big Babanki to contain armed separatist militants.
“To be honest, I and others had argued that military intervention in Babanki was going to be dangerous. The Fon seems not to have heard that. He insisted that all those who have any connections with Amba in the village must be dealt with or picked up,” the kingmaker who opted for anonymity told MMI.
He also confirmed that “the Fon also submitted a list of some villagers suspected of having links with the separatists and the results was scores of villagers killed.”
MMI also gathered that the traditional ruler was the cause of torture meted on some old protesting women by the fighters.
“Single handedly requesting government troops in the village is not fair. What Fon said that he consulted notables, elites, and other traditional institutions in Kejom Keku before taking the decision to troop deployment is not true. We did not support it,” the kingmaker added lamenting, “We are totally confused here. The village is like a grave yard with no business premises operational. The last three days have been bad in the village here.”
Fon wages fight against all Separatist sympathizers (leaked audio)
HRH Fon Benjamin Vutsiboung of Big Babanki has given specific instructions to be followed in case Amba-linked individuals are spotted in his village.
The traditional ruler told his people to report these individuals to him personally via phone calls, as he vows to purge his village of all separatists’ influence.
Special attention, according to the Fon, will be given to separatists and sympathizers who have fled from other towns into Big Babanki.
These instructions from the Fon to quarter heads were heard in a leaked audio clip making rounds on social media.
In the leaked tape, Fon Vutsiboung also instructed one of his quarter heads, based in Buea to report a certain Vuluh (alleged Amba runaway) to the nearest police station in Buea, in the South West Region.
The leaked audio tape has created discord amongst the indigenes of Big Babanki, many of whom are not comfortable with the direct involvement of the Fon in the execution of individuals linked to the crisis.
Many persons have also accused him of drawing up the list handed over to the military, which has been used to target the villagers by the military. So far, over 7 civilians in that list were executed on Friday, June 16, 2023, by the military reports say.
There is total fear that in Kedjom-Keku and animosity nursed against the Fon, likely to fuel opposition against his rule.
MMI’s attempts to reach out to the accused Fon have not yielded fruit yet.
By Ndi Fungwe
Mimi Mefo Info
