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For there past three days now, persistent military raids on Kumbo and surrounding villages in Bui Division, North West Region have left locals in fear.
It started Thursday, April 9th 2020, when the military invaded Kikaikom and engaged a fierce exchange with Pro-Independence Fighters, that left three dead. “They have since not retreated, ” sources told Mimi Mefo Info from their hideout.
The raid has brought untold consequences on several villages, with material damages recorded. Yesterday, Saturday was the turn of Tadu. After returning from their hideouts in the bushes, locals began to count their losses.
“A local bakery and its stock and motor bikes burnt with other properties… Though one death was recorded, people are yet to see the total destruction as the invaders leave” a local tells MMI.
“My mum and others who left their hideout from the villages to a neighboring village, Bassee are still moving up the hills. Old women who could barely walk could run 12km to be safe.”
In Shuukov, one of the villages, the source says “2 houses have been burnt. For the number of people arrested, we don’t yet know because the inhabitants are still in the bushes. It’s horrible as they keep on breaking peoples houses carrying away everything. Presently my parents are still in the bush, all crying of hunger with nothing to eat.”
“I didn’t sleep because i have lost so many of my family members because of military raids. I am just very afraid that it might happen again” the source adds feeling worried.
Today’s death toll brings the number to six, following the killing of two civilians in Kikaikom and one soldier in Mbve, all in Bui Division. In the ambush where the soldier was killed, many of his colleagues were also injured.
Despite several rights abuses in the North West and South West Regions by it’s forces, government has always claimed its soldiers maintain professional conduct in the three year long conflict.
Mimi Mefo Info
