A federal grand jury in Minnesota has returned an eight-count indictment against two naturalised U.S. citizens accused of orchestrating a campaign of kidnappings, bombings, and killings in Cameroon.
Benedict Nwana Kuah, 51, and Pascal Kikishy Wongbi, 52, both residents of Minnesota, faced arrest on Friday and appeared in court the same day, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). They remain in custody ahead of detention hearings scheduled for September 10 and 11.
Alleged Leaders of the Ambazonia Defense Forces
The indictment identifies Kuah and Wongbi as senior leaders in the Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF), a separatist militia that has waged an armed campaign to carve out an independent state called “Ambazonia” in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.
Federal prosecutors allege the pair used their positions to raise money from the United States, fund the purchase of weapons, and order attacks that deliberately targeted civilians, government officials, and security forces in Cameroon.
“The defendants are charged with using the United States as a base of operations to finance and direct kidnappings, bombings, and killings in Cameroon,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the DOJ’s Criminal Division. “Their alleged conduct caused death, terror, and suffering among innocent civilians.”
Minnesota Officials Condemn Overseas Terror Campaign
Authorities in Minnesota stressed that the state must not serve as a safe haven for violent actors.
“Minnesota is not a launchpad for overseas violence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson for the District of Minnesota. “Operating from the comfort of their living rooms in Minnesota, these defendants caused violence and suffering half a world away. They ordered kidnappings, bombings, and murders. Their crimes are an affront to both American law and basic human decency.”
The FBI’s Counterterrorism Division echoed that message. “Although these violent acts occurred outside of U.S. borders, these charges should underscore that criminal actors cannot hide in the United States,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead.
Indictment Details: Attacks on Civilians and Officials
The DOJ outlined a series of violent incidents allegedly directed and financed by Kuah and Wongbi since 2017.
- 2017 onward: Thousands of dollars were funneled to Cameroon to buy weapons and explosives.
- 2022: Fighters kidnapped a government official and broadcast propaganda videos of the abduction.
- 2023: Kuah allegedly helped plan an improvised explosive device attack on a regional governor and later funded a bombing at the Mount Cameroon Race for Hope, which injured 19 people. That same year, an ADF commander appointed by Kuah executed two unarmed civilians in a market square, while Wongbi appeared in a video threatening more killings.
- 2024: Kuah allegedly approved the funding and plan for a Youth Day bombing that killed a 15-year-old girl and injured dozens of schoolchildren.
The indictment also alleges the pair ran online fundraising campaigns with names like “The Takeover Fund” and “Operation 200AKs”, explicitly calling for donations to buy AK-47 rifles and explosives.
Potential Life Sentences if Convicted
Kuah and Wongbi face charges including conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim, and injure persons abroad; conspiracy to provide material support; and conspiracy to launder money. Kuah faces additional counts, including conspiracy to commit hostage-taking and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction overseas.
If convicted, both men face a statutory maximum of life in prison. Federal judges will ultimately determine sentencing based on U.S. guidelines.
The FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office investigates the case with support from Homeland Security Investigations.
Wider Implications: Spotlight on Ambazonia Leadership
The case further places renewed focus on the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), the political umbrella organization that claims authority over the ADF. The council is led by Ayaba Cho Lucas, one of the most prominent figures in Cameroon’s separatist movement.
Ayaba has been in pre-trial detention in Norway since September 24, 2024, marking one year in custody. His detention, combined with the U.S. indictment of Kuah and Wongbi, raises questions about the future of the ADF and its international networks of support.
All defendants stand presumed innocent until proven guilty, but the proceedings in Minnesota show that U.S. authorities are adopting a tough stance against using American soil to plan and finance overseas insurgencies.