On Friday, March 14, a gruesome murder shook the town of Muyuka, in the South West Region of Cameroon. A retired prison warden, known as Pa Obi, was shot and burnt alive inside his car. The act was carried out by a self-styled Ambazonia separatist fighter called “One Man Squad.” The killing is the latest in a string of violent incidents attributed to separatist fighters in the Anglophone regions.
A Long-Standing Feud
Pa Obi, formerly a resident of Akaho quarters in Muyuka, had fled to Buea after receiving threats from “One Man Squad.” The separatist fighter had demanded a firearm from the retired warden,. However, when he insisted he did not have one, he was instead ordered to pay a staggering 5 million FCFA. Branded a “blackleg”—a term used by separatists to describe individuals they accuse of being traitors—Pa Obi became a marked man. Many civilians have fallen victim to such unfounded accusations, often resulting in their deaths.
One month before the brutal killing, the same separatist fighter allegedly shot Pa Obi’s son in the legs and head. He miraculously survived the attack and remains hospitalised, though he is reportedly paralysed.
“As we speak, one of the man’s sons lies paralysed in a hospital bed from a bullet fired by this same guy,” said a close acquaintance of the victim, Asong Michael.
Eyewitness Testimony: “This Has Been Happening Since Last Year”
Asong Michael further expressed his horror at the execution of Pa Obi and the continued terror inflicted upon the family.
“I am very close to the man you talk about that was killed by this guy for nothing. He did not even allow the man to be buried in his own house. And he was requesting 5 million for the man to be buried. Finally, the man was buried in his village,” he said. “This guy has gone too far. This has been happening since last year.”
A Forced Burial and Lingering Fears
A video seen by MMI shows Pa Obi dancing at an event believed to be the sackcloth removal ceremony for his late wife, who passed away recently. However, his life was cut short in a brutal act of violence.
One of the victim’s relatives shared their grief and the dilemma the family faced regarding his burial:
“He was buried yesterday, Sunday, March 16th, morning because this monster refused him to be buried in his own compound. If he was buried there, they would kill all his family members in Muyuka. Because the authorities can’t do anything for the safety of all other family members, he was buried in his village. That’s Cameroon. He is living in Brother Obi’s house. But one thing I know: there’s God.”
Uncertainty Surrounding ‘One Man Squad’
The real name and identity of ‘One Man Squad’ is not yet confirmed, and MMI is still working on getting this information. However, some Ambazonia separatists have already engaged in propaganda, trying to distort the facts by identifying a man living in Douala and falsely claiming he is the one who killed Pa Obi. “Please, there is fake news spreading around Facebook and YouTube about someone I know well, and I am with him now. That guy (Ambazonian) is talking shit and spreading wrongful information,” a friend of the accused told MMI.
The Unanswered Question: How is the Killer Untouched?
A video obtained by MMI allegedly shows the charred remains of a person inside a car, suspected to be Pa Obi. While official confirmation is lacking, sources close to the family insist it is him.
One of the most alarming aspects of this incident is the claim that the separatist fighter responsible for the murder is living in the victim’s house in Muyuka.
However, another video viewed by MMI raises further questions. In the footage, voices can be heard speaking in French, using military titles. It appears that these individuals arrived at the crime scene after the execution had taken place. The mystery therefore remains as to how the authorities allow the perpetrator to live in the deceased man’s house without taking action.
