Nacho Massacre: Grief, sadness as couple killed by Separatists laid to rest in Balatchi

By Soulemanu Bouba

It has all come to an end for Simplice Longsti Tsomene, aged 37, and his wife, Tanga Hélène Raissa, 25 years old.

The couple who legalized their union just two years ago were victims of last Sunday, July 16th, 2023, killings at Nacho (Abangoh) Junction, Bamenda II Sub Division, North West Region of Cameroon.

They were laid to rest on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Maka Village in Balatchi, West Region of Cameroon — in the presence of family members and wellwishers. “It was so painful. The pain and anger are immeasurable,” said a mourner in tears.

“Family members, though in pain have finally accepted that they were never going to see their children brought together in holy matrimony again,” said Blaise, a close friend of the deceased couple who accompanied the bodies to Balatchi.

Blaise continued that he could hear how some angry family members were “reigning curses on the perpetrators of the act on their children, saying it would never be well with them.”

Biography

Simplice Longsti Tsomene was born on July 15, 1986, while his wife, Tanga Hélène Raissa was born on July 18, 1998.

On the night of July 16, 2023, separatist fighters stormed Nacho Junction in Bamenda, took them out of their homes, and shot them. They died alongside eight others, according to a statement from Cameroon’s defence Minister.

Those killed include three women and six men.

The incident occurred three days after government forces stormed the same vicinity and killed five fighters – following a tip-off from inhabitants.

In a retaliatory move, the Separatist fighters stormed Nacho junction on Sunday – started shooting indiscriminately – and accusing inhabitants of being ‘blacklegs’.

There are several Separatist factions in the restive North West Region, but none of them has claimed responsibility for the killings.

Simplice and Hélène leave behind three children, family, and friends to mourn them.

May their souls continue to Rest In Peace