A mentally unstable man known popularly as “Bob Mike” was shot dead in Kumbo on Friday night. Sources in Kumbo indicatd that “Bob” was shot dead by security forces under unclear circumstances. He had lived with mental illness for decades and his condition was known to both security forces, the public and separatist fighters.
Security forces reportedly assaulted him before sh.00ting him at point-blank range. But remains unclear what caused them to pull the trigger on the harmless Bob, but a source in Kumbo told CNA that as of 6pm Friday evening, his body was still lying at the roadside.
His murder at the hands of security forces has caused both anger and confusion in the town. Bob had lived with mental health issues since the late 1980s and had survived all 9 years of the Anglophone Conflict in Kumbo until Friday.
Following the murder of Bob Mike, tributes poured in for him. Bob who was a brilliant student in the 1980s at the prestigious St. Augustine’s College (SAC), Nso, developed mental health issues shortly after leaving the boarding school.
He remained in Kumbo even though most of his relatives had long settled in the US. Bob was known for his calm demeanour, his witty sense of humour and while he could look scary at first sight to those who didn’t know him, he was a soft and gentle soul beneath the chaotic outward appearance.
Since CNA broke the news of his death on Friday, tributes have been pouring in – a testament to how loved and admired he was, despite his mental health challenges. People in Kumbo loved and admired Bob and many often engaged in conversation with him, hugging him and giving him food. Bob too was a generous man who despite his mental state and lack of material possessions, often gave his few coins to whoever needed help.
Bob’s classmates from SAC Nso in the 1980s describe him as intelligent and self-aware. Despite his mental health struggles, he never lost his impeccable command of the Queen’s English. He was a well-known figure in Kumbo and had never harmed anyone, often returning to their family compound before 6:00pm. His murder at the hands of a soldier, has caused sorrow and bitterness, because if a mentally unstable man can be killed in cold blood by those trained to uphold the law, then none of us is safe. Bob should never have been shot.
