Mania Johnson, Divisional Delegate of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, for Ndian Division in the South West region has been murdered by gunmen suspected to be separatist fighters.
News of his death in captivity went viral during the evening hours of Friday 18 June 2021. Mania, a son of Mbu Bakundu, a village in Meme Division was among six delegates kidnapped by gunmen in Misore Balue in Ekondo Titi Subdivision Tuesday 15 June 2021. They were kidnapped by a self-styled separatist commander, “General” 10 Kobo.
The separatist commander had in an audio message threatened to use the delegates to set an example. He did not explain what he meant by set an example. However, he is said to have already made huge financial demands as ransom.
The corpse was transported and deposited at the Limbe regional hospital mortuary. His killing comes days after social media reports indicated the kidnappers have started demanding FCFA 1 billion ransom for their release.
There has been fears over the fate of those still held in captivity including delegates of the ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Water and Energy Resources, State Property and Land Tenure, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and the Divisional Chief of Taxes.
The SDO for Ndian, Lawrence Forwang said the kidnapping was carried out by “secessionist terrorists". He revealed that the officials were on mission to demarcate land for an electricity supply plant project in the area. Though condemning the act, the SDO said plans were made to secure the release of the abductors.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
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