Opposition Leaders Call Government to Task Over Far North Kidnappings

By Njodzeka Kernyuy 

Several opposition politicians have condemned the recent kidnappings in the Far North Region, urging the government to take swift measures to ensure the victims are safe.  

In separate statements, presidential candidates Cabral Libii and Tomaino Ndam Njoya, along with disqualified candidate Maurice Kamto, called on the government to take action.

Kamto questioned why authorities have remained silent on the issue, days since gunmen kidnapped five children in Kousseri.  

On Sunday, August 17, another 16 people were abducted at Zigague and Sale.  

Those perpetrating the crime, Maurice Kamto says, are believed to be members of the Islamist sect Boko Haram, which has been terrorizing civilians in the Far North Region since May 2014. 

“This hostage-taking, with its ransom demands, is tragic for the affected families—especially the one that lost five children at once,” said Maurice Kamto, former leader of the CRM party.

Most of the victims are women and children.  

Show of Solidarity

The politicians expressed sympathy towards the victims’ families while urging the government to intervene.  

“Faced with this horror, we must stop everything, unite our voices, and appeal to humanity and responsibility to save these young lives,” said PCRN presidential candidate, Cabral Libii, calling on Cameroonians to stand with the affected families and take action. 
 
Kamto attributed the attacks to armed groups exploiting the poor condition of National Road No. 1, particularly the notorious Kousseri-Maroua stretch.  

“On my behalf and on behalf of all who support my fight for national recovery, I extend my solidarity and sincere compassion to the families of the kidnapped—especially the family that lost five children in this time of hardship,” he said.
  
Meanwhile, UDC presidential candidate Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya echoed the sentiment, stating: “With deep emotion, the UDC once again addresses this daily reality of insecurity and tragedy faced by Cameroonians. We express our profound compassion and solidarity with the mother of the five abducted children, as well as all the victims’ families.”  

Calls for Protection

Beyond expressing sympathy, the opposition figures demanded government action to safeguard citizens.  

“I urge the government to do everything possible to secure the hostages’ safe release and provide all necessary support to the victims’ families,” Kamto said.  

He criticized the government’s silence, calling it “unbearable,” and questioned why mass kidnappings persist after a decade of efforts to combat insecurity in the region.

“How do we explain that after ten years of war against insecurity, we still face mass abductions? It’s time to regain control of the country,” he said.  

Patricia Tomaino, speaking for the UDC, strongly condemned the “inhumane terrorist atrocities targeting children—the future of our nation.”  

“The protection of civilians, especially children, is a sovereign duty of the state,” she said, urging the government to “immediately clarify the circumstances of this heinous kidnapping and tighten security on high-risk roads.”