Ngoketunjia inhabitants trapped between separatist fighters and state forces

Insecurity remains the order of the day in Ndop, capital of Ngoketunjia Division, North West region of Cameroon.

According to a source in Ndop who spoke to Mimi Mefo Info on grounds of anonymity, “Ambazonia boys (armed non-state fighters) go after people who are against their mission. Meanwhile the military is also in search of people suspected to have links with the fighters”.

A security situation considered complex for civilians living in the community. On how to live in considerate peaceful environment, our informant says “our safety here is guaranteed by how neutral one can be”.

Before this Saturday July 11, 2020, an unknown number of people had been kidnapped and detained in Ambazonia camps. The victims were taken based on accusations that they are collaborating with the military against the separatists in retaliation.

Mimi Mefo Info has been reliably informed that parents and other relatives of those fighting in bushes in Ndop have been arrested and detained at the premises of the council. Several calls and WhatsApp messages to Mayor Dan Tankala to react on the allegations at the time of this report have failed to yield fruits.

Following earlier declarations by administrative officials in Ngokentunjia that security has been restored in the Division, a resident describes that as mere propaganda “…nothing has been done to separatist fighters in Ndop. They still go about doing things the way they used to do. That is the reality on the ground”.

Few days back, the defence ministry issued a statement claiming victory over separatists’ independence agenda. The release added that dozens of armed fighters in Ndop were killed by the military.

On Wednesday July 8, 2020, few days after the release, two popular men resident in Ndop were brutally killed by separatist fighters.

To our resource person, “One of those killed is Sylvester Ntonsonguh, a quarter head and a contractor. According to the fighters, he was killed because of his relationship with the Mayor and the fact that he has accepted a contract to reconstruct a road in the quarter. The boys say Sylvester has been taking contracts from the government and communicating with the government”.

Another civilian was killed on the same day in Mbanka village. MMI got his name as Eric Pakala. A resident in Ndop tells Mimi Mefo Info that “… the boys accused Eric Pakala of collaborating with the Senior Divisional Officer and the Mayor who are trying to kill the Amba General in Ndop. To Amba boys, Eric Pakala received the sum of FCFA 90.000 from government officials to facilitate his task”.

At the moment, civilians in Ngoketunjia Division say they live in permanent fear of the unknown given that they are in a web of insecurity with military and amba fighters ready to crush anyone suspected of going against their instructions.

Mimi Mefo Info (+237679135573)