For over a week, more than 50 civilians, including women and children, have been arrested, abducted and held incommunicado by the army and Ambazonia groups in Bamali village, Ngoketunjia Division, North West Region.
Local sources say soldiers stormed Bamali on Thursday, July 25, and took away two women.
One of the women is said to be the mother of a suspected Ambazonia fighter, while the other is his wife.
The action, as reported by the Guardian Post issue 3191 of Tuesday, August 6, 2024, was reportedly intended to force the Amba fighter to surrender, with the promise that his mother and wife would be released if he agreed.
In retaliation, a group of Amba fighters launched an attack on families whose children are members of the defense and security forces.
“The fighters moved from house to house on Friday, July 26, kidnapping relatives, mainly mothers and wives of members of the defense and security forces from Bamali village,” a villager reported.
Amba fighters reportedly warned that they would only release their captives once the defence and security forces had freed their colleague's mother and wife.
Several sources in the village, including family members of those affected, say they have not been able to communicate with the individuals arrested by the army or kidnapped by Amba fighters since their abduction.
“All their phones are switched off. We have not received any call even from those who kidnapped them. We do not know what they want. The whole family is worried because we do not even know if they are safe or not,” said a family member of one of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous.
The MMI also tried, without success, to trace the people arrested and abducted by both sides.
The situation remains tense as the community waits for news of their loved ones.
©Mimi Mefo Info
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