By David Atangana
A teacher whose name MMI got as Gasah Bismarck and his wife are being held under torture in Ambazonia separatist captivity in Yelum, a locality in Nkum, Bui Division of the restive North West region of Cameroon.
They were kidnapped by armed militants of the Ambazonia Defense Force (ADF), a separatist militia loyal to the diaspora-run Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC).
According to information gathered, Gasah and a host of other teachers were abducted shortly after the writing of the government common entrance examination which took place on May 11, 2023.
However, other teachers were released while Gasah and his wife remained in captivity.
“There is a disturbing situation going on in Mah Village in Nkum Subdivision. Most children here have been attending community schools. Those in class six wrote the Common entrance examination last week. Unfortunately, after writing the exams, all class six teachers were picked up by Ambazonia Forces to their Camp in Yelum” a source who opted not to be named told MMI.
The reasons for their abduction remain unknown.
“Others were released to report back to the camp today but Mr Gasah Bismarck was not released. He has since been severely beaten,” he added.
People within the community have been pleading with the leader of the separatist group not to torture the teacher and his wife arguing that the victims have not violated the rules laid down by the separatists regarding what schools to teach in:
“They should not be tortured. They we teaching in community schools. The Yelum camp is run by the ADF of Dr. Cho Ayaba. Please talk to him and let him order the release of these people,” one of the villagers pleaded.
Teachers are some of the most affected in the five years long-running conflict in Anglophone Cameroon repeatedly targeted by separatists who had at some point declared a shutdown of schools in the two English-speaking regions.
