Ako Mayor labels Buku kidnappings, killings as transnational crime, urges government to intervene.

The Mayor Of Ako council in Donga Mantung Division, Cameroon’s North West Region has reacted to recent acts of kidnapping for ransom in Buku village, a locality in Ako.

In a press release issued on Sunday, June 25, 2023, Nkwai Godlove Nkanya, qualified the action by Fulani from neigbouring Nigeria as a ‘transnational crime.’

“The mayor of Ako council regrets to inform the national and international community that his municipality has become a victim of transnational crime. Since April 1st, 2023, unidentified armed men from neighboring Nigeria have repeatedly stormed some villages of the border Subdivision and Buku village in particular and kidnapped people for ransom,” the Mayor said in the release.

According to the Mayor, three people were kidnapped between June 18 and 19, 2023 with one victim killed following a rescue military operation.

“On the night of Sunday 18 breaking Monday 19 June 2023, a group of about 14 armed men arrived at the village of Buku and kidnapped three persons while destroying one of the victims’ houses. Victims were taken away towards Nigeria and during military interventions on Tuesday 20 June 2023, one of the victims was killed,” the mayor stated adding, “the military operation led to the successful rescue of the two other victims while about three of the kidnappers were reportedly neutralized and some ammunitions collected.

Thanking defense and security forces for a job well done, Mayor Nkwai Godlove on behalf of Ako municipality, “extended condolences to the immediate family of late Mr Nafemu Amos Chumbe who was killed during the operation. “Our prayers and thoughts are with them during this difficult moment.”

Mayor Nkanya noted that the recent kidnap case is not the first in the locality. “… this is happening after 22 persons were first kidnapped on 1 and 2nd April 2023 from the same Buku village and Ako border. After more than a week in captivity, all victims were safely released at high logistics cost and sacrifices made mostly by families of victims,” Nkanya said.

The Mayor concluded that it is a ‘transnational crime’ which should be investigated by the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon.

“I would like to state that this constitutes a transnational crime and should be thoroughly investigated by the governments of both countries. I plead with both governments to set up appropriate mechanisms consistent with the international instruments in the fight against transnational organized crime as stipulated by UNGA resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000 to which they are signatories,” he continued.

Mayor Nkwain Godlove Nkanya also said,  “that the people of Ako have always lived in peace with their neighbors in Taraba State Nigeria. As a matter of fact, they share a lot of things together. Most villages in Kurmi LGA speak the same language as the people of Ako Subdivision. Ako council operates a border market that brings together business operators from other parts of Cameroon and Nigeria.”

The Mayor urged the state to take appropriate measures to keep the border Subdivision. He also appealed to the local population to report all suspected acts of insecurity and kidnap to the administration.

Buku had since April 2023 been targeted by kidnappers from neighboring Nigeria.

By David Atangana.