Breaking News: Idabato-Ndian’s Divisional Officer Abducted in Wake of Celebrations to Mark Independence Day in Southern Cameroons

The Divisional Officer of Idabato in Ndian Division, Ewane Roland, has been forcibly taken by armed individuals during the early hours of Tuesday, 1st October 2024. The perpetrators, suspected to be separatist fighters, also abducted Mr. Etongo Ismael, a council staff member from Idabato.

This incident is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted and ongoing violent conflict in the former UN Trust Territory of British Southern Cameroons. The region has been plagued by unrest and tensions stemming from historical grievances and calls for independence. The pro-independence movement, fueled by dissatisfaction with the central government and political marginalization, has led to violent clashes and acts of insurgency.

The abductors, under the direction of a pro-independence group, reportedly headed towards Nigeria using a flying boat, taking the victims to an undisclosed location. Despite the efforts of the Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) to track down the abductors in the high seas, their search has not borne fruit.

Idabato, situated in the Bakassi Peninsula, is known for its fishing community. The abduction has prompted the SDO for Ndian, Gilbert Gibai, to reach out to the Nigerian Consul General in Buea, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts with Nigerian security forces. This cooperation aligns with the established cross-border military coordination between Cameroon and Nigeria in the pursuit of security and stability in the region.

It should be recalled that one of the leaders of the pro-independence movement, the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), Mr. Cho Lucas Ayaba was recently arrested and detained in Oslo, Norway. He is being charged with the inchoate crime of incitement of violence leading to the commission of crimes against humanity. Mr. Ayaba’s arme3d group, then Ambazonia Defense Forces had entered into a cooperation agreement with the Biafran separatist group in neighboring Nigeria. That alliance could partially explain the abduction of the Divisional Officer of Idabato and a council staff. The Biafran movement had warned of consequences with the arrest of Mr. Ayaba.