Arrest of Ayaba Cho: Former aide, Capo Daniel ready to testify, group labels him traitor
It is more than Four months since the arrest of the Commander-in-chief of a separatist group operating in the North West and South West region, the Ambazonia Defense Forces, Ayaba Cho Lucas.
Norway announced on September 24, 2024, that he was arrested in connection with alleged war crimes
After this arrest, his former aide, Ngong Emmanuel who is also known as Capo Daniel, who served as the Deputy Defense Chief of the armed group, said he was ready to testify against his former boss.
Mr. Ngong resigned from his position and the group said it was due to policy differences. He created his group dedicated to advocating for the independence of the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.
Frontline separatist commander, Capo Daniel, resigns from AGOVC – Cameroon News Agency
He made startling revelations on the dirty jobs the ADF does, in which he took part, but tried to distance himself from them, saying he did not always agree with the policies. But since the arrest of Ayaba Cho, Mr. Daniel has found an opportunity to hang his former boss, saying he was ready to take the stand in court.
Confirming in March 2024 that his former group killed prominent, Capo explained that he was against such moves.
Read more: ADF killed Barrister Kemende-former Commander – Cameroon News Agency
CNA Newsroom reached out to him following the resurfacing of these declarations on social media.
“Yes. Ayaba Cho had ordered the assassination of key persons of my organisation, his organisation summary execution in Guzang and the execution of 10 innocent civilians in Bamenda in their so called “frog must go” campaign are all criminal actions against our people that deserve justice, if given an opportunity, I would not hesitate to testify against him for the sake of the victims,” He said.
“Our people, who live under the constant threat of reprisal attacks from the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF) and their deadly cyberbullying, can count on some of us in the diaspora to speak out on their behalf. This commitment applies not only to denouncing atrocities committed by the ADF but also to holding the Cameroon military accountable for its crimes. If given the opportunity, I will not hesitate to testify against Ayaba Cho in defense of the victims of his crimes—some of whom were my collaborators, whom he assassinated in his pursuit of power.” Ngong added.
He also accused the group’s spokesperson, Lucas Asu of masterminding these killings,
“Additionally, it is well-documented that the AGovC leadership, as announced by their spokesperson Lucas Asu, ordered the summary executions in Guzang on October 4, 2023. ADF fighters publicly executed two unarmed men, an act captured on video and consistent with prior reports of ADF brutality. Human Rights Watch has also debunked the accusations used by the ADF to justify these executions, further confirming that this was an extrajudicial killing. Based on information from the court in Norway , these two cases are the cornerstone of why Ayaba Cho was arrested…Ayaba Cho’s supporters may be in denial, claiming that his arrest is politically motivated, but the facts speak for themselves. His organization has publicly claimed responsibility for these attacks, and human rights organizations had already documented and condemned these atrocities long before his arrest. Humans Rights Watch specifically called for his arrest on this cases and our people must see this as a positive development to end the impunity .”
AGovC reacts
Reaching out to CNA Newsroom on February 7, Asu Lucas said Ngong Emmanuel is a traitor, evoking a Greek proverb
“Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make them mad”
He said that Ngong Emmanuel had benefitted from the separatist group that allegedly clothed, gave him financial support, and sent them on missions.
“When all else is lost, when their desperate misadventure to destroy Ambazonia’s quest for freedom has failed, when what they thought treachery will accord them instead turned to eternal-inner torture and misery, they resorted to public baiting and begging Norway for an invitation for interrogation and to testify against Dr. Cho. A man desperate to be digging his own grave. They had forgotten so soon they were the deputy defence chiefs, anti-kidnapping Czars and therefore bear full responsibility of the conduct and actions of the forces. Cowards.
According to Mr. Asu, the former propagandist and deputy defense chief , is working for the government of Cameroon, “When they couldn’t disrupt GZ ( Ground Zero) and deliver on their promise to assist LRC( La Republique du Cameroun) decapitate the liberation, LRC gave them a taste of the blood money they collected. “
Since his arrest, Ayaba Cho has been denied bail. It is not certain if the Norwegians will deliver Ayaba to the government of Cameroon or formally charge him in court for the case to commence.
Double Standards?
A few hours after the murder of Barrister Kemende by the ADF, Ngong Emmanuel made a video in which he said the opposition Senator was killed by Four members of the Cameroon army.
“They approached him while he was filling his jeep, bundled him, put him inside the jeep, drove up to Mile 2 Knwen, and shot from behind, the bullet penetrated his heart, he was then rushed to the hospital; by bike riders where he was pronounced dead.”
Ngong added that the Senator spoke about the people who killed him, pointing fingers at the Cameroon army on his dying bed.
What therefore explains this u-turn from his initial point that the Senator was killed by members of the Cameroon army? When things were sour for both men, Ngong Emmanuel has now come out to confess and free himself from the death of the Barrister and Senator, saying that he had advised his former boss not to harm the legal mind but he didn’t listen.
But will he also go scot-free should crimes under his watch be investigated?
