53 days into kidnap of Idabato DO, gov’t assures commitment to his release
By Nchendzengang Tatah
The government of Cameroon in a statement dated November 22, reacted with disdain to the kidnap and over 53 days captivity of the Divisional Officer (DO) of Idabato, Ewane Roland together with a municipal official, Etongo Ismael.
Government’s spokesperson, Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi confirmed that, the act was carried out by armed pirates from a neighboring country.
“The Government of the Republic strongly condemns this odious, cowardly and despicable act perpetrated by lawless individuals against representatives of the State,” he stated.
He added that the treatment given the government official by his captors was “extremely cruel physical abuse and inhuman and degrading”. Mr Sadi’s outing was few days after a video had gone viral on social media, in which the kidnapped state official was tied body facing down to a horizontal fitted wood.
In the said clip which CNA has seen, Ewane Roland was heard pleading for help, inorder for a required ransom by his kidnappers to be paid. The Minister of Communication, Rene Sadi however, did not in exact terms mention what governments efforts towards the release were.
“The Government wishes to make it known that everything possible is being done to preserve the life of the Divisional Officer of Idabato as well as that of his colleague, and to obtain a happy outcome to this scabrous and unfortunate affair,” he concluded.
Ewane Roland, the Divisional Officer of Idabato Ndian Division- South West Region was kidnapped in the early hours of October 1, 2024. Alongside a worker at the council, Etongo Ismael.
Official sources say they were ferried through sea by armed pirates to Nigeria. Family members have also hinted that, the abductors demand over 700,000 US dollars for ransom.
