By Kate Bih
Magistrate Nchang Augustin Amongwa, the Assistant Advocate General of the North West Court of Appeal in Bamenda, has reportedly been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.
According to reports, the abduction occurred on the evening of December 30, 2024, as the magistrate entered his residence in Nkwen, Bamenda III.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the attackers acted swiftly, taking the magistrate without leaving any immediate leads.
As of now, the kidnappers have made no communication, leaving the family and authorities in a state of uncertainty.
The family is appealing for help from the public.
Insecurity has plagued Bamenda, the regional capital of the North West, for years now.
This has fueled incidents of kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary killing and arrest and other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, many blame the Anglophone armed conflict, which has persisted for over seven years now, for fostering lawlessness in the region.
Human rights reports have repeatedly faulted separatists for kidnapping civilians and government officials for financial gains.
Several notable state officials have suffered the fate. Among them is the CPDM Senator, Dr Regina Mundi; the late Cardinal Tumi; the Fon of Nso, HRH Sehm Mbinglo, among others.
The aforementioned officials were fortunate to have come out alive, as other victims of kidnapping have often died.
Barely three months ago, MMI reported the death of the Second Deputy Mayor of Bamenda II, Joko Frida.
She was kidnapped and later found dead in Bamenda.
