Cameroon government abandons Ako to Nigerian kidnappers, villagers take matters into their hands

The government of Cameroon has failed to take measures to protect the villagers of Buku village, despite a recent report about a protest by women at the Ako gendarmerie brigade after their husbands and children were kidnapped.

This was not the first time the villagers were suffering such a situation at the hands of kidnappers coming over from neighbouring Nigeria.

Current reports say tensions have been rising in Buku, a village in the Ako subdivision Donga Mantung division of the North West region of Cameroon, as the villagers have decided to take matters into their hands and protect themselves.

Young men and women armed with machetes and sticks have been bracing to defend themselves and their village from invading armed kidnappers from neighbouring Nigeria.

The locality has become a soft target for the kidnappers who have invaded the village severally kidnapping locals for ransom.

A few days after several people were kidnapped, local sources say the invaders were again seen in large numbers on Thursday, June 22, 2023, approaching the said community.

“As I write to you omen saw a group of over 40 Fulani herdsmen this morning while going to their farms and ran back home raising an alarm,” a source told MMI.

While some villagers decided to desert the locality for fear of any eventuality, others swore to defend their land.

“The village of Buku in Ako is deserted as I write to you,” he went on adding that, “Young men have gathered themselves saying they will all die defending their land with matchets and sticks.”

Two days ago, women from Buku stormed the Ako gendarmerie brigade in protest demanding peace, security, and an end to kidnapping for ransom.

The state has remained silent in the face of the situation.