By Njoh Linda
The Former Divisional Officer for Bamenda II, Nicholas Nkongho Manchang, has died barely a week after a presidential decree on July 22 redeployed him.
He had been battling for his life at a hospital after sustaining bullet injuries in Limbe where he was shot.
He assumed office in Bamenda II around mid-2020. On February 6, 2024, Nkongho and about seven others were kidnapped in Ntumbaw by suspected Ambazonia separatist fighters while en route to the installation ceremony of the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung.
But he was rapidly released according to a statement from the North West Governor, Adolf Lele L’Afrique.
In July this year, the DO was shot in Limbe under unclear circumstances.
Reports say he sustained serious injuries. While on his sick bed, he was transferred to serve in the Baham Subdivision of the West Region in the same capacity.
He was replaced by Ibrahima Moussa Ballo, the DO of Baham.
Nicholas Nkongho Manchang was one of several local administrators victimized by Ambazonia separatist fighters during the ongoing armed conflict in the English-speaking regions.
His abduction in 2024 made him the third Divisional Officer attacked or captured by separatists after the DOs of Batibo and Ekondo Titi were killed earlier during the crisis.
Circumstances surrounding his shooting in Limbe this July remain unknown and it is unclear if it was an armed attack or a targeted shooting.
