Reports reaching Mimi Mefo Info indicate that several residents were arrested on Wednesday in Binju, Nkambe Subdivision, after wearing T-shirts bearing the image of Issa Tchiroma Bakary, leader of the Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF).
According to eyewitness accounts, individuals distributing the campaign T-shirts had earlier handed them out to locals in the area. However, moments after some residents put them on, security forces reportedly intervened and arrested those wearing the shirts.
A local source, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told MMI:
“Something has been happening in Nkambe, precisely in Binju. Some people came and shared Tchiroma’s T-shirts to people in Binju, but all of a sudden those who wore them were being arrested. The question is — if these people shared CPDM T-shirts, would there have been any problem? Obviously not. You can’t force people to support you. If the people say they are no longer with you, then you have to respect their decision.”
Local authorities have not yet commented on the incident. The arrests have sparked concerns among residents about political intolerance and the suppression of opposition supporters in the aftermath of the October 12 presidential election.