PCC Moderator wants Messaga massacre investigated, says over 30 deaths recorded
More than 30 people died and several others were injured when armed men from Oliti village attacked their neighbors from Messaga for two days.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Rt Rev. Fonki Samuel, has revealed that the massacre was carried out by the Oliti who were on a revenge mission in Messaga Ekol, Akwaya Subdivision, Manyu Division in the South West region.
“It all began as a land dispute between the Oliti people and the Messaga Ekol people of Akwaya.
The Oliti people attacked and killed some Messaga Ekol people on their farms on the 29th of
April 2022 and the Messaga Ekol people retaliated. The Oliti people then mobilized and got the
backup of hired armed men and launched a very violent, inhuman and destructive attack on
the Messaga Ekol people.” The Moderator said.
The attack between June 25 -26, 2022 led to the death of at least 30, the man of God revealed.
“The attacks led to the burning down of houses during which some
Rt Rev Fonki Samuel
people were burnt in their houses. Over 30 (thirty) people were killed including children, girls,
men, women and old people. Some were beheaded. About 5 (five) Nigerians were killed in this
attack. The perpetrators of this evil and wickedness should be urgently brought to justice to preempt any further escalation.
The Moderator has condemned the act which happened in his own Subdivision, Akwaya. He said such acts do not speak well of people living together as one people.
“This has brought shame upon us as a people of the same community. I vehemently condemn
the perpetrators of these shameful and inhuman acts upon God’s children and pray that such
evil and inhumanity never occur again in our community. I am calling on both the political and
traditional fathers of Akwaya to meet at the fastest possible time to address this unfortunate
situation that has exposed us as unfit to manage our differences. Let justice, peace, brotherly, and sisterly love reign.”
Background
The Moderator has revealed that their main reason for attacking and killing the people is that they want to occupy rich farmland at Ufambe belonging to Messaga Ekol and at the same time do not want Messaga Ekol people to farm on the said land. On Sunday the 26th of June 2022, the same hired killers continued
their attack in the village of Ballin.
