By Wilson Musa
It was grief and consternation in Mukwebu in Bamenda III Subdivision, North West region, where residents were left in shock following the macabre discovery of the decomposed body of Honorine Bingo, a young mother whose lifeless body was found at a family residence, CNA gathered.
A source who knew the matter told CNA correspondent that Honorine Bingo was discovered on May 15, 2024, at the home of her brother, Toba James, who is reportedly based abroad.
“We became concerned after noticing her unusual absence and a disturbing odour coming from the compound. But we did not know that the odour was her decomposed body. What made us peep through the house was that we heard the cries of a baby. Upon checking the premises, we found her body within the fenced residence,” the source who begged not to be named said.
Her 11-month-old baby was found nearby in distress but alive. The child was immediately rushed to a hospital in Bamenda for medical care and remains under observation, CNA was told.
ATTENTION GRAPHIC IMAGE!
There were reports of visible injuries at the time of discovery. However, the exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear. In the neighbourhood, people are said to be careful not to talk about the incident, because according to a local, that area had been under military surveillance for a long time, but they thought they were just making routine checks to scare Ambazonia separatist fighters.
Some sources alleged that military personnel had earlier come to the residence, reportedly in search of her sister-in-law, whose name we only got as Madam Toba.
According to these unverified accounts, when they did not find her, events may have unfolded that later led to Honorine being targeted in her place. They suspect this because her house was found in a ramshackle manner, showing signs of a desperate search for something.
Additionally, some residents claim men in military attire were seen patrolling and moving in and out of the area a day before they made the macabre discovery. These allegations remain unconfirmed, and authorities have not publicly linked any individuals or groups to the incident. No official statement has been made.
While the Mukwebu community remain tense, residents are said to be rallying to support the surviving child.
Killings in the ongoing Anglophone crisis often go unpunished because perpetrators never own up. Both military and armed separatists often accuse each other of carrying out an attack, especially if such attacks have human consequences, like the Nacho massacre of July 2023.
Honorine’s case is one out of many deaths that have occurred on streest of Bamenda that have either ended in family homes or just a simple government condolence.
