The arrest of Norway-based Cameroonian separatist leader Ayaba Cho Lucas on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, sent shockwaves through Cameroon and the international community. It was met largely with celebrations across social networks as many Anglophones heaved sighs of relief. According to reports, Norwegian judicial authorities detained Ayaba Cho for his involvement in crimes of international significance. However, it remains unclear what impact this will have on victims of the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. Separatists in the region have been fighting to establish an independent state, known as Ambazonia.
Many may not be aware of the extent of Ayaba Cho Lucas’ atrocities. MMI takes a sneak peek into some of the most recent ones.
The Face of Armed Violence
Ayaba Cho Lucas, the commander of the Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF), has been one of the most prominent figures in the violent struggle for Anglophone independence. Since 2016, when the crisis erupted over corporate grievances by lawyers and teachers, Ayaba Cho has been an unapologetic advocate of armed violence. His ADF militia has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on civilians, schools, and state forces, contributing to the worsening situation in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions.
Ayaba was the first separatist leader to publicly call for the use of violence in the independence struggle, a move that has escalated the conflict. Under his leadership, the ADF has been involved in kidnappings, killings, extortion, and harassment, with Ayaba Cho often taking credit for these actions, regardless of their impact on civilians.
Kidnapping for Ransom
The ADF, under Ayaba’s direction, has been notorious for kidnapping civilians and government officials, often demanding hefty ransoms for their release. On April 30, 2022, ADF fighters kidnapped Senator Regina Mundi in Bamenda. Capo Daniel, ADF’s defense chief at the time, confirmed that they had “arrested” Senator Mundi for questioning, with the intent of using her as a bargaining chip for a prisoner exchange. She was eventually released and it is alleged that a ransom of 40 million FCFA, although MMI has not been able to independently verify this. However, she is one of the few, if not the only high-ranking person who was kidnapped by the ADF and regained her freedom. Others were not so lucky.
Similarly, on April 15, 2023, the ADF kidnapped two primary school teachers in Nkambe and released them only after receiving a ransom of 1.5 million CFA francs each. The victims, Mahngong Roland and Mr. Dickson were teachers at Government Primary Schools in Mbikong-Tabenken and Bongom, respectively. These incidents represent just a fraction of the kidnappings orchestrated under Ayaba Cho’s leadership.
Killings and Assassinations
The ADF has also been implicated in numerous killings across the Anglophone regions. In May 2023, the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), the political wing of the ADF, admitted responsibility for the death of journalist Anye Nde Nso in Bamenda. Capo Daniel confirmed this and AGovC spokesperson Asu Lucas explained that the journalist was caught in the crossfire between separatist forces and the military.
The group has also targeted businesspeople in Bamenda. On June 27, 2024, armed men affiliated with the ADF shot and killed a businessman named Charles at his store in City Chemist, Bamenda. More shocking was the public execution of two individuals in Batibo on October 4, 2023. Accused of treason and collaboration with the government, the victims, Mbanyamsi Hansel (also known as Heavy Son) and Mbah Calistus (popularly known as Aboro), were executed in broad daylight.
Attacks on Schools
The ADF has also targeted schools, aiming to disrupt education in the Anglophone regions. On May 15, 2024, ADF fighters attacked a government primary school in Upper Mbot, Nkambe, burning educational materials. In a video that went viral, a male voice could be heard saying, “We are Ambazonian fighters under Ayaba the great.” Ayaba has publicly defended these actions, stating that school boycotts and lockdowns are part of the separatist struggle for sovereignty.
This year alone, the ADF launched a two-week lockdown to disrupt school resumption in the English-speaking regions, further aggravating the situation for students, teachers, and parents.
Extortion: The “Liberation Tax”
Under Ayaba Cho’s leadership, the AGovC has implemented an extortion scheme called the “Liberation Tax,” enforced by the ADF. Civilians and business owners are coerced at gunpoint into financially supporting the separatist cause. Those who refuse are labeled “blacklegs” and face potential execution. This systematic extortion has left many communities in fear, with residents forced to comply or risk death.
Harassment of Civilians
Ayaba Cho has also been involved in harassing civilians through arbitrary orders. A few months ago, he instructed that all taxis in Bamenda change their color from yellow to blue. This unpopular decision led to a series of attacks on taxi drivers and passengers who did not comply. At least 10 taxis were reportedly burned by ADF militants for defying the order.
Additionally, Ayaba’s forces have imposed a ban on the distribution and consumption of products from Les Brasseries, a popular brewing company, in some parts of Bamenda. While the sale of these products remains somewhat flexible in areas like Nkwen and Mendankwe, it is strictly prohibited in Mankon, a stronghold of the ADF. In May 2024, a commander named JC vowed to escalate the crackdown on beer sales in Nkwen, threatening mass violence. “Come rain, come shine, I will stop the sale of Brasseries beer in Nkwen. We will take actions that will scare people from drinking Brasseries. It won’t just be one or two deaths. I will attack any of those bars, spray bullets, and ensure at least 20 people are killed,” he warned in a leaked audio.
What Next?
While the exact charges against Ayaba Cho remain unclear, his arrest has raised questions about whether he will be held fully accountable for the atrocities committed under his leadership in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. As one of the most vocal proponents of armed violence, Ayaba’s arrest could signal a turning point in the international community’s approach to addressing the ongoing conflict.
Mimi Mefo Info – Arrest of Ayaba Cho Lucas – What are some of his crimes?
