Speeding army truck crushes Bamenda bike rider

A speeding army truck crushed and killed a bike rider in Bamenda, North West Region, on Friday, July 26.

The accident, which occurred at New Road Nkwen in the Bamenda III Subdivision, has raised renewed concerns over the safety of civilians during military operations in the region.

Reports say that the bike rider was descending from New Road when the military truck, attempting to overtake another vehicle, collided with him.

The impact crushed the bike beyond repair and left the rider with severe injuries.

He died at the hospital hours later.

This incident brings back memories of a similar tragedy on April 12, 2023, when a speeding police van killed two people, including a bike rider, at Fish Pond Hill, Bamenda.

That incident triggered massive protests from bike riders, who claimed it was a deliberate act by the police.

Military and police vehicles have a troubling history of causing fatal accidents involving civilians, motorbikes, and other vehicles in Cameroon.

This issue has been particularly rampant in the English-speaking North West and South West Regions, which have seen heavy military deployments over the past eight years due to the conflict with armed separatist groups.

Citizens have usually expressed frustration and anger over what they perceive as the authorities’ lack of accountability for accidents caused by military personnel.

They claim that such incidents are often treated with triviality, and those responsible are rarely held accountable, at least not publicly, for the lives and property lost.

©Mimi Mefo Info