A group of prominent Southern Cameroons traditional rulers say they are extremely concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Manyu Division.

In a letter addressed recently to the Francophone civil administrator in Mamfe, chiefs from Akwaya Sub Division observed that the entire Manyu Division is facing a lot of problems everywhere – in Upper Banyang banditry, in Eyumojock kidnapping; in Mamfe Central terror and in Akwaya killings. The traditional rulers furthered that the secession movement in Manyu is growing at an alarming proportion.

The letter came barely four days after the ailing President Biya claimed during a televised address to the nation that security in Anglophone Cameroon was gradually improving.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that Ambazonia Restoration Forces raided several villages in the Anyang Court Area including Bache where three people were reportedly killed.

Cameroon government sources in Akwaya confirmed the Bache raids and added that Chief Prof. Abangma’s palace was set ablaze. Those killed were identified as Pa Jonas Ekwale Abang aged 79, 58-year-old Ebai Ashu John and Esua Desmond Kajang.

Our correspondent in Mamfe who contributed to this report pointed out that gunmen also attacked Ebinsi and Bakem villages.

Mamfe, the chief town in Manyu Division is currently struggling to cope with the huge influx of displaced persons coming from villages in Akwaya Sub Division.

By Kingsley Betek

Southern Cameroonians living in parts of Calabar and in other refugee camps in Cross River State have mocked their country’s authorities as well as its military forces for always parading the bodies of Ambazonian separatist forces killed.

Early in the week, there were reports in the international media about how the Cameroonian authorities have neutralised leaders of Ambazonia with their bodies displayed in public.

The Cameroonians said it was a shame that Paul Biya’s government has been unable to contain the might and prowess of the so-called Ambazonian fighters in the southwest part of Cameroon.

The Cameroon nationals, many of whom had fled the restive regions of that country into the safety of Nigeria, boast that their struggle has inflicted far more casualties on Biya’s forces.

Edward Mbe Areey, a refugee in Ogoja, bragged that there are hundreds of separatist forces fighting for Ambazonia’s sovereignty.

“If you know the number of our forces in the bush you will be stunned. We have many fighting forces and groups which have camps in the forests. How many times have Amba Boys paraded the bodies of Biya’s men brought down by our gallant men? But when they succeed to kill one of our leaders they will make a big show of it, inviting world media houses to share the pictures on social media,” he said.

According to him, their boys are effectively in charge of the ‘Ambazonian Territory’.

Another refugee, Tim Orue, who travels often from his part of Cameroon to Cross River State, said it is very risky to travel through to the Mfum border near Ikom, a cocoa town in central Cross River.

“When we meet the Amba boys on the way, they will collect what they call ‘supports’ and allow us to move on. But there are days they would declare total lockdown so that it becomes very dangerous to move in the troubled territory,” he narrated.

An estimated 500,000 Cameroonians, including refugees, live in parts of Cross Rivers State, with a vast majority of them without means of identification, and resident permits, but still moving about without hindrance.

By Queen Besumbu Agbaw