Former North West MINEPAT Regional Delegate Found Dead in Babessi After Abduction

The body of Ngwang Raphael Njeba, former Regional Delegate of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) for the North West Region, has been found in Babessi village, Ndop Subdivision, days after he was reportedly abducted along the Bamenda–Ndop–Kumbo axis.

According to information published by the Cameroon News Agency (CNA), the 70-year-old retiree was allegedly abducted by suspected Ambazonia separatist fighters around Wainamah Hill, while travelling towards Nkambe in Donga Mantung Division for an appointment with administrative authorities.

A source close to the deceased told CNA that Mr. Njeba had been invited by the Senior Divisional Officer of Donga Mantung for an official engagement when gunmen reportedly stopped the vehicle he was travelling in, singled him out, assaulted him, and forced him out of the car.

“He had been called by the S. D.O. of Nkambe to come for an appointment concerning him. He was singled out of the car, assaulted and taken away. Other passengers were asking what his crime was, but the gunmen insisted he must go to the camp,” the source said.

The former senior civil servant was reportedly taken to a camp in Vekovi, where he was allegedly held for four days. During his captivity, the source further claimed that the attackers forced him to withdraw all the money in his mobile money account, physically assaulted him, and eventually killed him.

On Sunday December 21, in the morning, Mr. Njeba’s lifeless body was discovered in Babessi, with reports indicating that his abductors transported his corpse from their camp and dumped it in the neighbouring village.

Mr. Njeba had served as Regional Delegate of MINEPAT in the North West Region and had been on retirement. He was described by relatives and community members as a well-respected figure in the Wimbum community, a father, husband, grandfather, community leader, and a devoted Baptist Christian.

His killing has once again drawn attention to the persistent insecurity along the Bamenda–Ndop–Kumbo road, widely regarded by residents as one of the most dangerous road corridors in the North West Region. The axis has recorded repeated incidents of abductions, ambushes, and killings amid the ongoing Anglophone conflict.

Mr. Njeba is among many civilians who have lost their lives during the crisis, with rights groups and local observers noting a spike in violent incidents during end-of-year festivities, when movement traditionally increases.

MMI News