Government is Working to Secure Release of Idabato Council Worker – Atanga Nji

President Paul Biya has ordered that the same procedure used to secure the release of Idabato Divisional Officer Ewane Roland should also be applied to free council worker, Etongo Ismael, who was kidnapped alongside the DO.

The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, made this revelation on March 18 in Yaoundé after granting an audience to the freed DO, who was accompanied by his wife, the Southwest Governor, and the Senior Divisional Officer of Ndian.

That was Minister Nji’s first public comment on the October 1 kidnapping.

Etongo Still in Captivity

The DO was released on Monday, March 17, after nearly six months in captivity. However, Idabato Council worker Etongo Ishmael remains in captivity.

During the press briefing, he emphasized that upon the DO’s kidnapping, the Head of State gave firm instructions to ensure that every effort was made to secure his release.

“In compliance with these high instructions, the Cameroonian authorities have undertaken multiple steps to end his captivity,” a statement from the Ministry of Territorial Administration read.

The ministry said the freed DO appeared physically exhausted.

“Despite the physical abuse and mistreatment he received, Roland Ewane remained determined and courageous, maintaining confidence in the Cameroonian authorities, whose support throughout this painful ordeal resulted in this unconditional release,” Minister Nji said.

“Although physically weakened, the administrative official is doing well, hence the encouragement and support of the Head of State, conveyed to him and his family by Paul Atanga Nji.”

Regarding the Idabato council worker who remains in captivity, the minister “reassured the public that similar efforts are underway to ensure the release of this compatriot”.

Ewane Roland and Etongo Ishmael were kidnapped in Idabato on October 1, 2024, by Nigerian pirates operating in the Bakassi Peninsula. The pirates later demanded over one billion francs CFA as ransome.

However, the minister did not disclose whether a ransom was paid to secure the DO’s release or why the council worker was left behind.