Residents of M’Muock-Mbie, a village in Alou subdivision in Lebialem, South West region of Cameroon have known no peace since last weekend.
This follows reports in the area of how Ambazonian fighters kidnapped over 50 residents including children. They were abducted on Sunday on the M’mouck-leteh and M’mouck-fossimondi joint market day – the largest local market in Lebialem.
While the exact number of persons taken captive remains unknown sources place the figures at nearly 60 adding that: “some succeeded to escape as they were forcefully taken into the forest”.
“The Amba boys are asking for 1.5 million FCFA from each person to secure their release” he adds.
Separatists react
Mimi Mefo Info sought to know which of the non-state armed groups fighting for a breakaway state of Ambazonia in Cameroon´s English-speaking regions was responsible.
A member of the Ambazonia Defense Council members of Liebialem confirmed the information but said they were “verifying the exactitude of the situation”. Our source further said Ayeke, an armed separatist commander in Lebialem was responsible. “There’s no reason whatsoever to this at least not at this time. Look this is a complicated and old situation that has existed between the Mmockbin people and the Mbaleka people” he hinted without telling us when and how the captives will be released.
Government efforts
In a bid to secure their release, forces of law and order have reportedly launched an attack on the village.
“Our fear now is that with this approach, some of these children might lose their lives”.
M’Muock-Mbie it should be noted is the village of Minister Paul Tasong who currently heads the team in charge of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction of the North West and South West regions.
Mimi Mefo Info
