The former spokesperson for the Ambazonia Defence Forces, Capo Daniel (Emmanuel Ndong), has confirmed earlier findings by MMI that Bamenda-based journalist, Anye Nde Nsoh, was shot and killed by separatist fighters, but stated that it was a case of mistaken identity.
In a televised address on Monday, he claimed the separatists are regretting their action, for they had been targeting a military commander who regularly visited the bar in which Anye was shot.
“There is no sign or any indication that this journalist was targeted because he is a journalist or he is a subject of the target operation. It was an issue of mistaken identity and we regret this happening,” he said.
Anye died on the spot after being shot in the chest at a local drinking spot at Ntarikon, Bamenda, on Sunday, May 7.
A witness said he bumped into two separatist fighters who had come into the bar earlier and ordered everyone out. They shot him at first sight and he died before he could be rushed to the hospital.
Journalists and journalism associations have been mourning and condemning his killing, many describing him as a gentleman and a promising journalist.
Aside from writing for a sports website, Anye was working for Dream FM in Bamenda and correspondent for The Advocate newspaper.
The Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, promised the government will fetch his killers and bring them to justice.
He is among thousands of English-speaking Cameroonians who have been targeted or mistakenly killed in the ongoing armed conflict.
Ambazonia separatists, like state security and defence forces, have killed many people in the same way Anye was killed. But usually, responsibility is hardly determined.
Capo Daniel said they have instructed their fighters not to target journalists and that they will ensure no one is mistakenly targeted again.
Amid the promises, the only certainty is that Anye is gone and the so-called regrets of the separatists is doing nothing to numb the pains of the family and the media community.
