Bamenda: Separatists attack family demand whereabouts of daughter

Yesterday, April 3, bullets were fired at a building as the Separatists approached Meta quarters, a popular neighborhood in Bamenda.

Cries were heard, followed by voices speaking in pidgin English, “wusai e dey”, meaning where is the person, a witness who knew about the incident told CNA correspondent.

It lasted only about five minutes, but the damage was everlasting and tormenting. Witnesses said the Ambazonia fighters had visited the family in this neighborhood to take away their daughter, believed to have ties with them, CNA learned.

But when they arrived, no one was present during the unannounced visit; they only met two neighbors, renting apartments from the family. They fired at least four bullets that penetrated the iron sheet shops, dragging the tenants to reveal the whereabouts of Eunice Chifu, a witness narrated.

Unable to get their target, they left a message, urging the lady to contact them or be tagged a blackleg and face the consequences. A witness said he had not set eyes on Eunice, nor knew her whereabouts, adding that during the Christmas period of 2024, he had seen a military vehicle parked in front of her residence a while before leaving. He didn’t specify which command was responsible for such a patrol, but CNA has on record, years back, that Eunice Chifu, while at Bambili, had been listed as a potential “reserved fighter” for dating a separatist fighter.

No group has claimed responsibility.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a common phenomenon in Bamenda, but when separatists tag you a blackleg, it comes with severe “punishments.”

In 2024, the ADF publicly executed two civilians in Batibo, accusing them of working with government forces.

This sparked widespread condemnation from national and international bodies.