Explosive Device Deactivated by Security Forces in Bamenda

Security Forces have successfully deactivated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted in the Che Street Neighborhood in the Bamenda 2 subdivision. The IED was planted by the side of the road leading to the Ntarinkon Market by suspected Ambazonia separatist fighters.

It was discovered by a passerby, who alerted the people around, and they subsequently called the attention of the security forces, who deactivated the device.

“as security forces were carrying out their routine patrols, they were shown the device and they exploded it,” an eyewitness told MMI

The use of explosive devices by separatist fighters has been rampant since the Teachers’ and Lawyers’ protests in the North West and South West Regions escalated into an armed conflict in 2017. According to a conflict and security expert familiar with the evolution of the Anglophone crisis, the first IEDs were used in 2018, and they became popular in 2021.

“They started in Eyumojok near Mamfe, South West Region, circa 2018. Those incidents were few. After six months of stillness, they appeared mostly in the North West region in 2020 and 2021. This implies that the technology has spread,” he said.

Similarly, a media expert confirmed that they first encountered IEDs in 2018 in the North West Region.

“The first time IEDs were used was in 2018. I saw the first in March 2018 on my way from Kumbo. I passed separatists mounting them at Baba 1. They said we should leave and that they are waiting for soldiers who will use the road. They planted five on both sides of the road,” they told MMI.

This, according to the security expert, was a natural evolution of the conflict.

“Military vehicles improved. From 4x4s to armoured vehicles, the Ambazonian separatists could not penetrate with regular firearms. They developed explosives to stun the military vehicle and assault,” he told MMI.

IEDs have been used by separatists to target those with anti-separatist beliefs whom they tag as traitors or ‘blacklegs’ and the military. It is not clear yet who might have planted the explosive or who their target was.

The area where it was placed has been a source of leisure for many young people who turn out on Mondays to play football on the road, due to its less busy nature as a result of the ghost town phenomenon.