Conflicting accounts over death count in Widi-Bali military operation

Government announced that at least 13 separatist fighters were killed in an operation in the villages of Batibo, Widikum, Pinyin, Bali, Baba I in Mezam division. Another 11 it adds were killed in Jakiri, Bui division all in the restive North West region. A couple of others were also killed in Zhoa, Menchum Division.

Dubbed ‘Widi-Bali’, the operation which lasted from June 11 to 15 has seen a lot of controversy over the actual figures and results.

According to The Guardian Post, raids were carried out by 300 security men, quoting Col. Matiang who said just one gendarme was lost in the operation.

Citing the lead story on The Guardian Post newspaper that dwells on the happening, an observer says what the paper cited is a reverse of what happened in the field over the weekend.

“Go to the Bamenda regional hospital as we speak and you would find the real victims of the weekend fighting in the North West region,” he claims.

A third side holds that the soldiers were sent to wreak havoc as usual in Bali Nyonga and Batibo.

“The 18 armoured vehicles stationed at the Bali gendarmerie company since Monday 8th June 2020 which were plying the Bali-Batibo highway distributing over 600 foot soldiers made up of a mixture of BIRs, infantry gendarmes and police suddenly withdrew Tuesday Tuesday 16 June 2020 by 4 pm after the visit of an authority to the Bali gendarmerie company yesterday by midday”.

While the exact circumstances surrounding the supposed visit are not known, thousands of residents are still hiding in the bushes due to the raids on their villages by the armed forces.