Editor's Note: This report has been updated to reflect six civilian deaths. This comes after a witness and family member of one of the victims not mentioned in our original report came forward. This new number has also been confirmed with other eyewitnesses.
Cameroon soldiers are reported to have attacked Mamben, a neighbourhood in Pinyin, North West region of Cameroon. The attack resulted in the killing of at least six unarmed civilians and wounding two others.
The soldiers reportedly removed the victims from a popular pub, known to be frequented by separatist fighters,. They were then shot at about 7:30 pm on February 23, 2025.
According to the local population, the military operation targeted the drinking spot, leading to the execution of civilians.
“We heard gunshots at about 7:30 pm from the bar and ran into the nearby bushes for safety,” said Ning, a resident of the area.
“When we returned, we saw five people lying dead while we traced blood stains to another person who, despite being shot, tried escaping,” she added.
Eyewitness Penn identified the deceased, mentioning that among the five killed was a mentally unstable man from Ndapang,. There were also twin brothers Muluh Promise and Nji from Kongfune and a local cattle owner.
It is alleged that after the shootings, the soldiers dressed up the arm of the female bar attendant . They then instructed the population to take her to the hospital. MMI also gathered that a young man was shot in the legs. This brought the number of casualties to five killed and 2 injured.
“None of those killed are Amba boys. We have never seen them with guns,” said a community member.
A family member of the slain cattle owner confirmed that he had gone to take care of his cattle after two days of searching for his missing herdsman.
“It was on his way back that he stopped at the bar and got caught in the incident,” the relative narrated.
Herdsman Reportedly Arrested and Tortured
According to sources, soldiers arrested the herdsman, locked him up, and demanded that he disclose separatist hideouts. He repeatedly claimed ignorance of their whereabouts.
Separatist fighters regularly gather at the pub in Mamben, using it for roadblocks and drinking, where the killings occurred.
A local source suggested that recent incidents, where the population caught and burned two separatist fighters last week, may have triggered the military attack. Days later, security forces caught another separatist and took him into custody.
At the time of this report, preparations were underway for the burial of the twins, Muluh and Nji.
Authorities are yet to comment officially. The attack has sparked fear and tension in the area, as civilians worry about further military reprisals despite them working towards achieving a peaceful society.
