Cameroon Anglophone crisis: Soldiers Recuperate Over 20 Guns From Amba Hideout Along Wum Road

A tipoff from a civilian in the troubled North West region has led to the recovery of over 20 locally fabricated guns used by separatist fighters. The guns were recovered at the Mile 24 along the Wum road in Mechum Division.

The arms were discovered by elements of the National Gendarmerie in a separatist hideout Tuesday 23 February 2021 as revealed by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji during a two day working visit to the region.

“I think that this is a very important assignment. This patriotic Cameroonian informed the forces of law and order that there were arms hidden in the bush. And immediately, the Brigade Commander informed the Legion Commander that there is a discovery. And instructions were given and the gendarmes went and they have brought the weapons. 

These are dangerous weapons,” Atanga Nji explained while presenting the recovered weapons to reporters at the esplanade of the North West Governor’s office in Bamenda. He assured the population of their safety and confidentiality while collaborating with soldiers and administrative officials.

“I want the population to copy this example. This is a patriotic Cameroonian who saw that weapons were hidden somewhere and informed the gendarmes and today we have collected the weapons. We will protect the source of the information and we are asking others to emulate it. 

Because at the end of the day, when weapons are dropped, we can say that is the best way to safeguard the community, to bring peace and development,” he said, adding their only focus is for normalcy to return.

He urged all and sundry to work for the interest of the region by collaborating with security and called on parents to play their role of educating youth of the dangers of picking arms against the state. 

“…parents must educate their children. If they come out of the bush, we will protect them and they will live to have a better future,” he assured.

He urged the population of the two troubled regions to continue to federate forces with the defence and security forces in order to get separatist drop their weapons for the return of peace and normalcy. 

He once more reiterated President Paul Biya’s appeal for the separatist to drop their weapons and resume normal life without any punishment or court action from government or be forced to do so by the security. 

 “…the terrorists must lay down their weapons for their own interest and the interest of the community,” he advised.

By Doh Bertrand Nua