Mbanga D.O. blames matouké chiefs for May 1 attacks

The Divisional Officer of Mbanga, Nkefor Christian, has said the three security elements and the bike rider who were killed on May 1 in Matouké in the Moungo division by suspected separatist fighters from the Fako division of the South West region was as a result of zero collaboration of the traditional rulers, neighborhood heads as well as natives.

He vehemently declared this during a crisis meeting he chaired on May 2.

“What makes it so difficult for you the chiefs, quarter heads and your population to collaborate with security officials? What is difficult in doing so?” The D.O angrily asked.

“Collaboration is giving vital information. What I need from you is identifying. Identify among your subjects suspects and report to the forces of law and order or the administration. Identify because the attackers can’t enter here without passing through several people among you and you must know them. Why is it that you don’t want to denounce them? Use your guys, your elements you are talking about and denounce them!”

The civil administrator added that the time for leniency is over and it is now time for sanctions to reign.

“You need to take your responsibilities into your hands because from now we will take severe actions. That issue of village council should be abolished from today. The chiefs should work hand in gloves with the chief of blocs, so much so that you know what is happening in each bloc. If you were working with them you would have had information on happenings.”

As a security measure, the D.O officer ordered the main road leading in Matouké village to be enlarged.

“Chiefs from Matouké to Kotto Up, as you are going back today, see into it that farms that are beside the road should be opened to at least 2km irrespective of what has been planted there. It should be free, everything should be down,” Nkefor Christian emphasized.

The D.O. also announced he will visit the scene where the three security elements and bike rider were ambushed.