Ngarbuh Massacre: Victims still seeking justice two years later

By Timfuchi Aaron

Victims and their family members of the Ngarbuh massacre that saw the death of 21 people including 13 children in Ngarbuh, North West region of Cameroon are asking government to facilitate the justice process.

Human Rights Watch, an international human rights group, is worried that the delay in the delay in the judicial process demonstrates the inefficiency and inability of the justice system to deliver much-awaited justice.

One of the lawyers defending the victims of the Ngarbuh incident, Barrister Tamfu Richard has decried the very long distance to cover between Ngarbuh and Yaounde where the case is being heard.

“Two years after one can only have regrets because it’s two years that the families of the victims are still struggling to have justice from the courts”, Bar. Tamfu said.

Bar. Tamfu Richard noted that to him, justice is being delayed and the victims have not been able to heal their wounds.

He revealed that two years after, the victims are yet to receive compensation from the government despite several promises.

“It is also very difficult for the families of the victims to go to the court in Yaounde. They spend close to 60.000frs just for transportation from Ngarbuh to Yaounde, not to even talk about other logistics”, he said.

The international Human Rights Watch had condemned the excesses of the government forces since the start of the crisis in the North West and South West regions.

The massacre happened on the night of February 13-14, 2020, in Ngarbuh leading to the death of at least twenty people. In one of its reports, the HRW mentioned 21 victims, including thirteen children and a pregnant woman.

According to the report, the damages include burned houses, properties looted and people being beaten.