Armed separatists burn motorcycles, abduct teachers in Nkambe

Armed separatist fighters have set ablaze 13 commercial motorcycles and abducted two school teachers at the Ngie Junction in Njap village, Nkambe Central Subdivision of the Donga Mantung Division, North West Region of Cameroon.

The harrowing attack occurred at approximately 5 am on Monday, April 15, 2024, according to sources.

Reports from Njap village indicate that armed separatists, believed to have come from the Lasin area, infiltrated the serene village in the early hours of monday.

They swiftly established a control post at the Ngie Junction, halting the passage of commercial bikes commuting between Tabenken and Njap villages to Nkambe and vice versa.

With a chilling efficiency, the armed militants intercepted the motorcycles, instructing riders and passengers alike to disembark and sit on the ground.

“After hours of operation, the armed assailants seized a total of 16 motorbikes, setting 13 ablaze at daybreak and confiscating 3 others in pristine condition,” an anonymous source from Njap told MMI.

In addition to the destruction, the separatists also abducted two individuals—one hailing from Njap and the other a native of neighboring Tabenken.

Local sources said the attackers purportedly came with the intent to enforce Monday ghost town in the area, despite the area having enjoyed a period of relative tranquility.

Security officials have launched a hunt for the perpetrators and have temporarily barricaded the road between Njap village and Nkambe town.

The brazen attack has sent shockwaves through the community, underscoring the persistent challenges faced by residents amidst the ongoing unrest in the English-speaking Regions of Cameroon.

The abduction of teachers, crucial pillars of the educational system, has particularly stirred apprehension among locals.

This happened on the first day of school resumption for the Third Term of the 2023/2024 academic year.

Authorities are actively engaged in efforts to restore order and security to the area, with investigations into the attack underway.

In videos that surfaced on online platforms, a group of armed men who identified as the ADF claimed responsibility for the attack.

One of the fighters could be seen holding a gun while several people sat on the ground behind him. Several motorbikes were lined up on the road and another fighter could be heard accusing the villagers of violating Monday lockdown calls.

The incident is the second security breach in Nkambe this year, after a major explosion on 11 February that killed a student and injured over 70 others.

The area had previously been a rare haven of peace and security amid the devastating armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.

©Mimi Mefo Info