Fear Grips Mbororo Community as Kidnappings for Ransom Increase Along Bambui-Babanki Road.

Residents and travelers have raised concerns over what they describe as a growing pattern of kidnappings targeting Mbororo people along the Bambui-Babanki stretch of road in the North West Region.

According to accounts from affected community members, presumed separatist fighters have, for several months, been operating around a junction known locally as “Alaji Junction.” The individuals reportedly stop vehicles traveling towards Fundong or Bamenda and inspect passengers.

Witnesses alledge that whenever Mbororo passengers are identified, they are forcefully removed from the vehicles and taken into nearby bushes, where they are subjected to torture and compelled to pay large sums of money before being released.

Community members claim that ransom demands are usually at least one million FCFA.

In a social media video MMI has watched, a man who says he is a separatist general assured local drivers and passengers that there shall be no kidnappings but travellers say nothing has changed.

The situation reportedly worsened last week as many Mbororo people traveled to their villages to celebrate the Feast of the Ram.

The latest reported incident occurred on Tuesday when a transport vehicle traveling from Fundong was intercepted along the same road said a victim. “Mbororo men were taken from the vehicle and forced into the bush, beaten and ordered to pay a ransom of 2.6 million FCFA” he added.

According to family sources, the money was paid and their tortured relatives were eventually released.

Community members further allege that three presumed separatist fighters are frequently seen operating along the stretch of road and are responsible for many of the reported incidents.

The repeated attacks have reportedly created fear and uncertainty among Mbororo travelers, with many unsure of which routes to use when returning to Bamenda.

Residents also expressed concern that military checkpoints are located not far from the area where the alleged kidnappings occur, but claim that no intervention has taken place.

MMI News