MINDEF says forces have freed Senator Regina Mundi, ADF Says otherwise

The information is contained in a communique signed by the ministry’s head of communication department, Captain Cyrille Serge Atonfack Guemo.

In it, it is said that thanks to the collaboration of the population, the security forces were able to locate Senator Regina Mundi in Ashong, Batibo subdivision, Momo division situated in the North West region of Cameroon.

Operations had begun on May 29, 2022, and it is only the following day that they were able to see the separatist fighters for the first time. The armed men reportedly opened fire to slow down the advancement of security forces while other fighters struggled to move the kidnapped people.

The defense ministry says many hostages including the senator were freed and approximately ten separatist fighters have been killed with other seriously injured. They equally say 3 of the kidnappers have been taken in for questioning. Assault rifles, munitions, fourteen (14) improvised explosive devices and a vehicle were equally taken.

The communique ends by thanking the population and emphasizing that hierarchy is watching to ensure that security forces carry out their operations while respecting human rights. No mention is made of casualties, if any, on the side of the security forces.

But the Ambazonia Defense Forces has given a different update. According to its deputy defense chief, Capo Daniel, the armed group came under fire and had to release four prisoners, though he did not specify the names of the captives.

The ADF has also said that government forces have attacked areas like Kontri market square in upper Ashong. The hotspots remain; Ashong , Enwen , Enyoh, Ewai and Ambo. The ADF also said they incurred no casualties.

Senator Regina Mundi was kidnapped on April 30, 2022, in Bamenda, North West Region. The ADF had demanded a prisoner swap of ailing Nfor Ngala Nfor, locked up in Yaounde since 2018 but the government made no statement.