The former spokesman for the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF), Ngong Emmanuel, also known as Capo Daniel, has accused the ADF of orchestrating the tragic Egbekaw, Mamfe attack last Monday, November 6th.
The incident, which resulted in the loss of over 25 civilian lives, has ignited a contentious blame game within the separatist factions.
Capo Daniel, currently advocating from Hong Kong, claimed that fighters loyal to Lucas Ayaba Cho, a prominent proponent of independence through armed conflict, carried out the attack as a retaliatory measure.
According to his assertions in a video posted on YouTube, the assault was a response to the killing of two Ambazonia fighters, allegedly ambushed by the Cameroon military.
The deceased fighters were purportedly buried in Egbekaw, prompting a vengeful attack on civilians who had relocated from Akwaya to Egbekaw.
“What happened in Mamfe, in Egbekaw, is a revenge attack following the killing of two Ambazonia soldiers that took place sometime last week,” Capo Daniel said.
Government and some media sources have labelled the attack on Ambazonia separatists, although no group has yet come out to take responsibility.
Capo Daniel said ADF fighters from Akwaya, a subdivision in Manyu Division, orchestrated the attack to avenge the killing of one of theirs.
“What happened, according to our soldiers who have provided this information, is that the Cameroon military ambushed two of our soldiers.
“The ‘General’, who is dead, and one of his top ‘Lieutenants’ was killed and his dead body was carried and buried in Egbekaw by the Cameroon military.
“So this was a revenge attack. If you look at all the people who were killed these are people who are coming from Akwaya and are now living in Egbekaw. That is what happened, and that is what caused this atrocity,” Capo explained.
However, conflicting reports emerged as Ayaba Cho’s Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC) refuted these claims.
Cho, who has been associated with previous attacks in the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon, blamed the Cameroon military for the Egbekaw massacre.
Despite his allegations, he presented no substantiating evidence.
Ayaba Cho, through the ADF, has enforced various measures such as lockdowns and school boycotts in the Anglophone Regions, threatening those who oppose their directives.
Notably, Cho justified the recent public execution of two civilians in Guzang, labelling them “blacklegs”.
He publicly authorised his fighters to hunt and execute other so-called blacklegs.
He also warned of dire consequences for civilians collaborating with the Cameroon military.
Such actions, which rights groups condemned as constituting war crimes, have drawn widespread criticism due to the targeting of civilians during the conflict.
The Egbekaw massacre underscores the deepening rifts among various factions within the Ambazonia movement.
As accusations and counter-accusations persist, the tragic loss of innocent lives further intensifies the urgency for resolution and peace in the conflict-ridden Anglophone Regions of Cameroon.
Mimi Mefo Info
