Roadblocks lifted in Bamenyam after abducted villagers released

Two girls who were abducted in Bamenyam village in the West Region of Cameroon early this week, have been released. They were allegedly kidnapped by Ambazonia separatists operating from the restive North West Region of the country.

They were freed in the early hours of Wednesday, September 6, after Bamenyam villagers mounted roadblocks for three days to demand their release.

The blockade paralysed circulation along the road linking Bamenyam in the West Region and some villages in the North West, including Awing, Bali Kumbat, Bali Gansi, and Bali Gashu.

The Bamenyam vigilante group, along with some villagers, mounted the roadblock, demanding the release of the two girls after it was rumoured that they had been abducted by armed separatists from the restive North West.

An MMI report on Tuesday detailed how the roadblock paralysed circulation along the road stretch for three days (September 3–6).

ADMINISTRATIVE INTERVENTION

The roadblock in Bamenyam was lifted after the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Bamboutous, the Divisional Officer for Galim, and the President of the Ndong Awing Development and Cultural Association (NACDA) intervened and pleaded with the angry population to have mercy on dozens of people who had been stranded in the village since Sunday.

Before circulation was restored on the road, authorities from the two regions had promised to intensify efforts to ensure that the abducted victims regained their freedom.

It is not known if a ransom was paid before the two girls were set free.

The Bamenyam villagers’ protest trapped mostly traders, students, and pupils who were returning from holidays in the prelude to school resumption.

Inhabitants of Bamenyam accused separatist fighters operating in the North West Region of Cameroon of masterminding the abductions.