Gunmen, believed to be Ambazonia separate fighters are said to have kidnapped the traditional ruler of Barakwe Clan in Mbengwi Subdivision, Momo Division in the North West Region, Humfred Takum Teghen.
Humfred Takum Teghen, traditional ruler of Barakwe Clan
Takum who is also a lawyer and member of the Cameroon Bar Association and supporter of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, was kidnapped recently.
He is said to have been taken away from his palace by the suspected separatist fighters at gunpoint, in front of his family. We gathered that the separatist fighters had accused Humfred Takum Teghen of refusing to financially support their cause and struggle for the independence of a country which they have christened Ambazonia. The fighters are also said to have faulted Takum for not siding with the cause of his people, because of his staunch adherence to the ruling party, Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM.
We also gathered that before being ferried away to the camp of the Amba fighters, Humfred Takum Teghen was tortured in front of his family. This scenario is said to have seriously traumatised his family.
It should be noted that since the crisis in the North West and South West regions escalated into an armed conflict, the separatist fighters have been kidnapping and sometimes killing people whom they have labeled as “blacklegs” because they are not supporting their cause either financially or otherwise. Some of the victims of Ambazonia fighters’ atrocities have been beheaded.
It should be noted that the Anglophone crisis has been posing an existential threat to millions of Cameroonians and risks undermining Cameroon's national stability.
Human rights pundits say it encompasses grave crimes against humanity as there are atrocities being perpetrated by separatist fighters and the military.
The conflict has birthed several non-state armed groups who frequently use irregular tactics in confrontations with government forces.
According to International Crisis Group in September 2019, approximately 3,000 people have died, at least 500,000 have become internally displaced persons (IDPs), 40,000 are now refugees in Nigeria, and 700,000 children are deprived of school.
UNOCHA reports that, as of July 2019, 1.3 million people in the Anglophone Regions are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
Human rights groups indicate that the non-state armed groups have: killed and dismembered security force members; killed, tortured, or maimed Anglophone civilians who appear unsupportive of secession; kidnapped civilians for ransom; kidnapped teachers and students to enforce a school ban; enforced lockdowns, trapping civilians in their homes for days; beaten and raped women and girls.