Road rehabilitation works in parts of Bamenda have come to a standstill after suspected Ambazonia separatist fighters burnt heavy construction equipment in Mile 5, Nkwen, following a failed ransom demand reportedly exceeding 30 million CFA francs.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, May 3, is the latest in a series of attacks targeting development projects in Cameroon’s conflict-hit North West Region, where insecurity linked to the Anglophone crisis continues to disrupt daily life and public infrastructure works.
Workers Abducted Before Attack
According to local sources, the violence began on April 25 when armed men abducted two workers from the construction site. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a large sum of money from the construction company in exchange for their release.
After negotiations allegedly failed, the fighters are said to have returned to the Alahlieh neighbourhood in Mile 5, where they fired gunshots into the air before setting a road construction caterpillar ablaze.
The destruction of the equipment has forced ongoing road repairs in the area to stop completely, raising concerns among residents who had hoped the works would improve movement and transportation in the neighbourhood.
Missing Workers Still in Captivity
The whereabouts of the abducted workers remain unknown, with reports indicating that the machine operator has now spent nearly two weeks in captivity.
As of now, local authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the attack, the ransom allegations, or efforts being made to secure the release of the missing workers.
The silence from authorities has further deepened anxiety among residents already living under the constant threat of violence and kidnappings linked to the ongoing armed conflict.
Residents Question Separatists’ Motives
The incident has sparked anger and frustration among locals, many of whom say armed groups have increasingly shifted away from political objectives and turned to kidnapping for ransom and attacks on civilians.
Several residents openly questioned the motives behind targeting a road project meant to benefit the local population.
“These boys no longer fight for what they claim to stand for. Now it is just kidnapping people for ransom,” one driver in the area said.
Another resident, visibly frustrated, described the attackers as “illiterates,” questioning why development projects meant to help the community were being destroyed.
Anglophone Crisis Continues to Impact Development
Since the outbreak of the Anglophone crisis in 2016, Bamenda and other parts of Cameroon’s North West and South West regions have witnessed repeated attacks, abductions, and destruction of public infrastructure.
Development projects, schools, businesses, and transport networks have frequently been caught in the crossfire, leaving many communities struggling with deteriorating living conditions and growing insecurity.
The latest attack in Mile 5 once again highlights the difficult environment in which both residents and contractors operate, as fear and uncertainty continue to overshadow efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
