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The city of Kumba came to a standstill today, as hundreds of mourners trooped to the Amusement Park to pay last respects to the massacre victims.
“To all the authorities present, we know the solution to our problem. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to sit down and solve the problem in the house… The people who suffer more in this crisis are the poor people. They are the ones who are in the bushes. It is the poor who are hiding under the rocks in the forest… and the rich all what it takes to go to Douala, to go to Yaounde, to go to Bafoussam and sponsor their children,” Pastor Eka said.
The Apostolic Pastor, Martin Eka, is one of the five religious leaders who preached at an ecumenical service held at the Kumba Amusement Park in honour of the seven children killed last October 24 in Kumba, South West region.
Speaking at the funeral of the seven school children who were massacred in Kumba that was presided at by President Biya’s representative, PM Chief Dr Dion Ngute, the pastor was categorical.
In a striking sermon drawn from the Biblical book of Luke 16:22, the Apostolic Pastor, said government knows how to end the crisis, but has refused to do so.
He also reminded all present that death is the end point for everyone regardless of thwir status.
“A time shall come when we all shall be leveled by death. Death knows no position; Death knows no title, death does not know whether you are rich or you are poor,” he said.
Other Christian leaders from Presbyterian, Baptist, Full Gospel; and the Islamic faith, said it is time for government to dialogue with her citizens and find solutions to end the crisis.
“The master minds of this gruesome act of inhumanity are called upon to repent or face eternal damnation,” said a Presbyterian Pastor.
The seven children shot dead by unidentified attackers included Victory Ngamenyi (11); Telma Che Nchangnwi (15); Princess Momene Nguemene (11); Jenifer Anangim Nju (11); Cindy Shienya (14); Rhema Nzakame (9); and Remmy Monge (11).
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Francis Che Ambe, father of Thelma Che, one of the killed children, said their wish is that justice should reign on the perpetrators.
“We totally condemn this brutal killing of our children and we pray the State of Cameroon should track the perpetrators of this act and render justice to them” he said.
The Kumba citizens cheered up to peace calls made by their newly-elected City Mayor, and shouted with enthusiasm at the Pastors’ messages against government’s nonchalance towards the Anglophone crisis.
SW Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, read President Paul Biya and first lady Chantal Biya’s condolence message saying they stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and will ensure justice is done on perpetrators of the killings.
“Appropriate measures have been taken to ensure the perpetrators of those despicable acts are apprehended by our defence and security forces and brought to justice,” a portion of the Presidential statement read.
