North-West Region News

300 soldiers headed by Colonel Matiang Charles Alain have successfully carried out different operations in Bafut Subdivision, one of the stronghole of separatists fighters in the North West Region. For 6 days the soldiers were able to infiltrate some of the hideout of those who  referred to themselves as "Ambazonia fighters".

To access the operations, the Commander of the 5th Military Region, Brigadier General Nka Valere and the Commander of the 5th Gendarmerie Region, Brigadier General Ekongwese Divine alongside other top military officials in the Region were on the field on Friday May 1, 2020. Their first stop was at the Bafut Palace, where they debunked social media rumors that the palace had been burnt by Soldiers.

From the Palace, they visited Saddle Hill Ranch which had been transformed by the separatists fighters as one of their "Camp" in Bafut, but were fetched out during an operating at the side on Thursday April 30,2020. Here the Generals were brief on how the operation took place as they move round the Ranch.

"This is very sad, look at someone's life investment, this boys took it as their Camp, it was really a VIP camp" one of the Soldier lamented.

After the 6 days, a good number of materials amongst which were arms and munitions were recovered.

Before presenting these materials to the Generals at the Bamenda airport, Colonel Matiang Charles Alain who led the operations explained how difficult the mission was, he narrated that most of the attacks were carried out on foot, given the topography of Bafut. The Colonel used the occasion to thank hierarchy for given them the necessary manpower and logistics for a successful mission that saw all 300 soldiers back on their feet, except for one who was injured but is presently responding to treatment, he however added that Bafut is very vast and therefore they will need more soldiers as they prepare to get back on the field.

General Nka Valere while transmitting the massage of the Minister Delegate in charge of Defense and that of the Chief of Staff of the Army, congratulated them. He told them that Bafut Subdivision is to be totally cleaned, given that since the escalation of the crisis Bafut has been reported as the center of killings, kidnappings, stealing, burnings and looting "this has to stop" the General exclaimed.

"The security situation in Bafut is under control, people can now move, though we still have some spotted camps which in the nearest future will be destroyed. Around 15 Ambazonia fighters were neutralized, one of their headquarters that is Saddle Hill Ranch has been recovered, around 50 dane guns, pistols, munitions, motorbikes, a car, 2 horses amongst others are the results of the operations" said General Nka Valere.

On his part General Ekongwese Divine said that it is time for the the population of the North-West Region to be liberated from the hands of those whose mission is to see the people suffer and that the military has that obligation to liberate the suffering population.

Very few civilians were spotted around Bafut, moving around few were seen working on their farms.

As a result of the operation, the population of Bafut Subdivision can progressively regain their base.