Media reports have confirmed that Fon Yakum Kevin Teuvih, kidnapped yesterday by separatist fighters from his palace had plans set out for the 84th edition of the Cultural Festival of the Mbaw Yakum People dubbed “Sha’atang.”
It is also said that Sha’atang, which is an annual event had not been held for close to 4 years due to the Anglophone crisis.
Hours before he was taken, Fon Kevin Shomitang addressed his people concerning the upcoming Cultural Festival, where he said emisaries of the high secret society had gone to the market with a message of peace to the population of Mbaw Yakum.
According to the Fon “The message sent are the values that will be promoted through the weeklong activity (Sha’atang).”
He also appealed to the population of Mbaw Yakum, to “Start peace talks and to reconcile with each other like brothers and sisters…”
The ceremony was scheduled to begin tomorrow December 9, 2021 with a procession to the Secret Forest of the Fondom, a place believed to be the origin of the people of Bambalang.
Hours after the Fon’s outting, media reports say close to 40 armed men showed up at the Palace and carted him off to an unknown location.
Unconfirmed sources have claimed that a sum of 20 million FCFA has been demanded by the separatists for the release of the Fon of Bambalang.
