Cameroon: After massive killings, many flee Abangoh (Nacho), Governor prohibits removal of corpses.

By  Fungwe Ndi

Residents in Abangoh, a community in Bamenda II Subdivision are fleeing out of the neighbourhood – in the wake of the 16 July 2023 massacre in the area by Separatist Fighters.

Abangoh also known as Nacho has been the scene of a bloody massacre of nine civilians – after Separatists stormed the area in what some witnesses have described as a retaliatory move.

The Government has put the death toll at ten. 

Uncertainty

Those who are fleeing the area have expressed the desire to avoid imminent uncertainty and attacks.

“I am from Santa, but I am not safe. I am now sceptical to move around because everyone here has parked out… Many people carried their properties out this morning. I can’t leave now because I have collected people’s money to supply them Eru (local vegetables) and I feel I will soon park up and leave, very soon,” said a food vendor who resides in Abangoh.

According to an administrative order from the office of the North West governor, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique, the bodies of five of those murdered in the incident have been removed for burial, while others are still in the mortuary.

On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, eight families had arranged to remove the corpse of their loved ones, however, after five were taken out, a call came in from the Governor’s office demanding that the bodies be held for further examination before being released for burial.

My wife was killed

“I was not in my home but when I heard gunshots from a distance, I rushed back home. Not seeing my family, I called my wife. When she picked up, she sounded frightened and asked me to come to Nacho Junction. I ran to the junction and realized that she was shot in the stomach and the head. Her head was scattered. She died. I was supposed to remove her corpse today, but we were told that the North West governor has stopped to release the corpses. So, I will wait until they decide otherwise, my family is doing all burial arrangements since I am not financially strong,” the husband of one of the victims called Virginie told MMI.

While waiting for the administration to overturn its decision, it should be noted that out of the ten persons killed, eight of them were from the West Region of Cameroon including three women.

“All the eighth people were pulled out of their homes after asking them where they come from. I overheard the fighters saying that if you were from the North West region, you would be spared, and if you were from the West Region you were taken and shot. The armed Separatists told the slain couple who are my neighbours, are they aware of the six boys killed on Friday by government troops down at Awing quarter. That from now, when the military kills five, they will kill ten,” a neighbour and an eyewitness explained.

Sunday’s killings have left many in fear especially as many keep parking out of the neighbourhood to unknown locations.