Ndian SDO Suspends Circulation of Boats

The Senior Divisional Officer for Ndian, Gilbert Guibai Baldena, has suspended the circulation of boats in Ndian waters as the administration searches for the Divisional Officer of Idabato abducted by pirates.

The administrative ban is contained in a prefectural order dated October 2, 2024, which MMI has seen.

The measure follows the abduction of Roland Ewane, Divisional Officer of Idabato, who was kidnapped on October 1 by pirates from neighbouring Nigeria.

The SDO’s order reads: “That with effect from the date of signature of the present order, the circulation of boats on the stretch of waters in Ndian Division is hereby strictly suspended till further notice.”

The suspension exempts security and defence forces, public servants and those in distress.

“By derogation of paragraph I aforementioned, exception is given to boats of Forces of Defense and Security involved in security operations, Cameroonian Navy, PAMOL PLC, Civil Servants and Council Staff moving between the different Subdivisions and to persons in distress on their demand duly justified,” the SDO wrote.

“Any person or group of persons who violate the provisions of this Order shall be punished in accordance with the law and regulations in force,” he added, charging the competent services to ensure its implementation.

It should be recalled that on October 1, 2024, Roland Ewane, Divisional Officer for Idabato, and a staff of Idabato council in the Bakassi peninsula were abducted by gunmen at about 2:15 am, according to official information.

The gunmen, according Mr Baldena, were an “unidentified armed group who took direction toward Nigeria on board flying boats.”

He appealed to Nigerian diplomatic authorities in Cameroon to take measures to rescue the official.

The whereabouts of the abducted officials have remained unknown since their disappearance. No armed group has also claimed responsibility.

The Bakassi peninsular faces security threats from Ambazonia separatist armed groups in Cameroon, Biafra separatists in Nigeria as well as pirates.