Nkambe Gendarmerie commander accused of abuse of power, monopolising sale of basic commodities

“There is a time bomb in Nkambe, Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region of Cameroon” a traditional ruler whose name is withheld for security reasons, told Mimi Mefo Info on phone.

According to him, some military officials have taken advantage of the peace loving nature of the people of Donga Mantung to abuse their rights.

Inasmuch as the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung, Simon Nkwenti Ndoh and other administrative and security officials enjoy a cordial relationship with the people of Donga Mantung, inhabitants of Nkambe are pointing accusing fingers at Danzabe Henri; brigade commander in Nkambe.

Multiple sources have confirmed to Mimi Mefo Info that the military officer is planning a revenge on ten legalised petrol sellers released from detention in Nkambe on the instructions of the Senior Divisional Officer. The men were arrested and detained by Commander Danzabe Henri on accusations that they were auxiliary workers of ambazonia separatist fighters in Donga Mantung and Bui Division.

According to a source, “the commander mainly arrested the men, accused them of terrorist activities and attempted transferring them to Bamenda just to monopolise the commercialisation of fuel in Donga Mantung Division”.

Inhabitants say commander Danzabe Henri has taken advantage of the Anglophone crisis to establish the business of selling fuel, beer, soaps and other items of basic necessities at high prices to the people.

To them, he uses military trucks on daily bases to transport these items. Curious on how free Commander Danzabe Henri’s military/business trucks ply Nkambe/Bamenda road passing through Bui Division without attacks by separatist fighters, an inhabitant has suggested a hidden deal between the gendarmerie commander and Ambazonia fighters.

The Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung tells Mimi Mefo Info that “…the commander has been a thorn on the flesh of people in Nkambe. He monopolised the sale of fuel and was selling a liter for 1000f cfa instead of 650f.When i discovered this, i said it is abnormal to punish the peace loving people of Donga Mantung Division. So with the permission of my hierarchy, i authorised some business men to bring in fuel in the Division and sell only to the people and not amba boys. Today, a liter cost 650f cfa to the satisfaction of all”.

Administrative authorities and inhabitants of Donga Mantung Division therefore accuse Commander Danzabe Henri of fighting to maintain his position as military/business man with a monopoly of selling fuel to the population at high prices.

With the prompt intervention of the Senior Divisional Officer, securing the release of the petrol sellers arrested June 10th 2020, inhabitants have been expressing fears on the security of the sellers. “We have been reliably informed that Commander Danzabe Henri has vowed to plot a deal for the petrol sellers to be rearrested and charged of terrorism. This has frighten some of the men to abandon the business”, an inhabitant adds.

To some petrol sellers, Commander Danzabe Henri in complicity with the former president of petrol sellers union in Nkambe, Maikaswa Tawale have over two years been extorting money from the sellers in the name of special tax for selling petrol in Nkambe. To them, the commander brags that he is answerable only to Yaounde and no one in Donga Mantung and the entire North West Region of Cameroon.

Mimi Mefo Info called and sent whatsapp messages to Commander Danzabe Henri to react on the accusations to no avail.

Mimi Mefo Info.