Gunmen Abduct Idabato DO, Council Staff in Ndian Division

Yet to be identified gunmen have abducted the Divisional Officer (DO) of Idabato, Ewane Roland, and a staff member of the Idabato Council, Etongo Ismaiel, this Tuesday, October 1, 2024, in Ndian Division of the South West Region.

Gilbert Guibai Baldena, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Nigeria, claims that the group abducted them at around 2:15 AM and then used flying boats to flee toward Nigeria.

In a communiqué addressed to the Consul General of Nigeria in Buea, the SDO requested immediate cross-border cooperation to address the situation.

“We would be most grateful if you could take some measures in communication with Nigerian authorities,” the communiqué reads.

The request emphasizes swift action to prevent the escalation of this security threat.

This new case of abduction adds up to growing security concerns in Ndian, a division plagued with vulnerabilities, including cross-border criminal activities.

The SDO’s letter underscores the gravity of the situation and calls for urgent collaboration with Nigerian authorities to secure the release of the kidnapped officials.

He stated, “It is within the framework of cross-border cooperation that we are hopeful Nigerian authorities will act promptly to assist in resolving this situation.”

At press time, the whereabouts of the abducted were yet to be known.

The abductions came in the wake of October 1, a day English-speaking Separatists have commemorated their independence from Cameroon since 2017.

Lockdowns, conflicts with the military, and assaults on civilians have all marked the day in previous years.