GTHS Esu: Separatists release students, SDO condemns attack
On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, heavily armed men who said they were Ambazonia Restoration Forces, a separatist group fighting for the independence of the North West and South West regions, stormed the premises of Government Technical High School, GTHS Esu, in the North West region.
“We have told them that there is no school, no school in Ambazonia land, yes, this is Esu, we are the restoration forces of Ambazonia-there is no school so as they do not want to hear, we will burn down the school.” One of the fighters who identified himself as a self-styled-general Lion of Menchum said in a video they shared.
At least 8 students and two teachers were kidnapped; Vice-Principal Achuo Oscar Buh and Discipline Master, Kum Julius Meh.
Injured students receiving treatment in a hospital
The SDo announced that these students were released after a military intervention but did not say how it happened nor give details about the two teachers.
Some of the students were undressed in school before two classrooms were set on fire, including the Principal’s office.
The Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum division, Abdullahi Aliou condemned the attack and called on the people of Esu to remain calm and collaborate with the security forces to prevent such attacks in the future.
This attack happened just a few days before the end of the first term of the 2023/2024 academic year in Cameroon
