Cameroon: Defense Minister says plans are underway to apprehend perpetrators of Nacho massacre

By Amina Hilda and Soulemanu Buba

Cameroon’s Minister of Defense (MINDEF) has announced that measures have been taken to apprehend perpetrators of the massacre that took place on Sunday, July 16th, 2023, in Nacho located in the heart of Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon.

The information is contained in a release signed on Monday, July 17, 2023, by the head of communication of the Ministry, Atonfack Guemo Cyrille.

According to Atonfack, a group of a dozen secessionists, deceptively dressed in military gear similar to those of the Army stormed Nacho junction where they began shooting indiscriminately.

“The preliminary report of this terrorist attack reveals that ten (10) people were murdered and two (02) others seriously injured,” the statement stated.

They went on to add that, “… operations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.”

Ongoing Investigations according to the Ministry will help shed light on and reveal the details of this terrorist attack, “for which there is absolutely no reason or justification.”

Among those killed was a couple who wedded two months ago in the said town.

Cameroon Defense Ministry accused of selective condemnation

The outing of Cameroon’s Ministry of Defense on the Nacho Massacre has added fuel to injury.

In the press release signed by MINDEF, the killings of five youths in Awing Quarter — not far from where the Nacho Massacre took place were ignored.

Whereas the killing of the five youths took place less than 48 hours before the Nacho Massacre. Some Bamenda residents have condemned selective reactions and condemnations.

“This is totally unacceptable. When it is them, they hide, when it is Amba, they mount rooftops and make the loudest noise. This selective condemnation is only prolonging the crisis,” Julius, a resident of Bamenda said.

A commercial biker who lost two friends in the Awing Quarter killings said the government’s attitude of hiding crimes committed by soldiers gives the impression that they have the monopoly to kill.

“My only regret is that innocent people continue to die while the authorities continue to feed fat from the crisis,” lamented Dieudonné.

While the press release says efforts to arrest the perpetrators of the Nacho Massacre are on the way, the talk around the town of Bamenda is that those who killed the five youths at Awing Quarter should not also be spared.

Mimi Mefo Info