Tensions within armed Ambazonia separatist ranks in Cameroon’s North-West Region have escalated sharply, with fighters in Bui Division announcing new movement restrictions that divert civilian traffic away from Bamessing toward the West Region town of Foumban.
According to information obtained by MMI News, Bui-based fighters have blocked vehicles from leaving Jakiri through Ndop, instructing drivers to use the Foumban road instead. The move follows accusations that fighters operating from Bamessing are repeatedly targeting travellers from Bui, including allegations of hostage-taking on routes leading to Kumbo.
“They will use the Foumban road. They have tortured Bui enough; they have tortured Bui enough,” a voice believed to be a fighter said in a leaked audio recording obtained by MMI News.
A familiar tactic with wider fallout
The decision to divert traffic revives a tactic previously used by Bui fighters, who in the past blocked roads toward Ndu and Nkambe, forcing residents of Donga Mantung to rely on the Foumban corridor. Local observers say the recurring roadblocks underscore how civilian mobility has become a bargaining chip amid growing mistrust between armed groups operating in neighboring divisions.
Accusations of betrayal and banditry
The latest standoff gained momentum last week after several Bui-based fighters publicly voiced grievances over territorial control and civilian treatment. In an audio warning, a fighter known as Capo raised alarms about the Bamenda–Nso–Nkambe axis, alleging that security on the stretch had deteriorated because Bamessing fighters may have been “bought” by the government.
Those claims were echoed by Major General Viper, a subordinate of the commander known as FM Mad Dog. In a January 6 recording, Viper accused Bamessing fighters of turning their weapons on civilians in Bui Division and alleged that about 17 people were kidnapped on January 5. He warned that such actions would draw a harsh response.
The Only Bro responds
At the center of the controversy is the self-styled general The Only Bro, (Ngeh Cyprian), who operates from Bamessing. In a video released by his team, he denied any involvement in kidnappings, insisting that neither he nor his unit participates in hostage-taking.
“I am not involved in kidnapping, and I do not know those who are doing it,” he said, calling on accusers to carry out a proper investigation rather than scapegoat his fighters.
The Only Bro pledged loyalty to Samuel Sako Ikome and struck a conciliatory note toward Bui fighters, saying he still respects them. However, he adopted a defiant tone in response to threats against his life, stating that if adversaries in Bui want to kill him, he is ready to face them.
Civilians caught in the middle
Despite the exchanges, Bui-based fighters say the new routing will stand. “All cars going to and from Bui must pass through Foumban, and not Bamessing,” a local source told MMI News.
For residents and travelers, the latest escalation highlights the deepening fragmentation within the separatist movement and the continued vulnerability of civilians, who face longer journeys, higher transport costs, and the constant risk of violence as rival factions trade accusations and impose road controls.
