Four Hospitalized as Military Accused of Shooting Civilians in Barombi

At least four people have been hospitalized at New Town, Barombi, in Mbonge Subdivision, following indiscriminate shooting last night, villagers have told MMI News.

Villagers have accused Cameroonian soldiers of masterminding the shooting, a claim which MMI News could not independently verify.

Images we have received include that of a child who, locals say, was shot in the hand by a stray bullet. Others sustained bullet wounds to their backs, legs, and arms.

According to local sources, the military began shooting indiscriminately on Monday night and, early on Tuesday morning, they moved from house to house, pulling out residents and torturing them.

A Barombi resident who spoke to MMI said the military came to the area to oversee a road construction project, but instead of rehabilitating the road peacefully, they are “creating havoc” in the village.

“The military started grading the roads from 3 Corners Ekombe right to New Town, and when they got to New Town Barombi, they probably wished to stay for a while because along that road, that’s the only village with a proper population that lives a good and serene life,” the source said, asking to remain anonymous for fear of being targeted.

“When they got there, they set up a checkpoint where they started checking ID cards and collecting money from bike riders who transport people to Kumba. Instead of continuing with their work of grading the road, they started walking all over the village and arresting people who make negative remarks about them.”

MMI News has learned that some villagers who were arrested in the locality two weeks ago by the military are still in detention.

However, the Cameroon military has not yet released any statement regarding the accusations leveled against them.

In the past, the government has maintained that soldiers are professional in the discharge of their duties despite certain incidents of inappropriate behavior.

Mbonge Subdivision in Meme Division, South West Cameroon, is one of the places that have been hit hard by the ongoing armed conflict in the English-speaking regions.

MMI News