Suspected Amba fighters set Fru Ndi’s Baba II residence ablaze.

The arson was carried out in the night of Thursday July 13, according to local sources. Images of the razed structure made the rounds on social media platforms Friday.

It was gathered that no member of late Fru Ndi’s household was living in the house at the time of the incident. 

The Guardian Post learned that the attack came days after separatist fighters had reportedly placed conditions for the late SDF national chieftain to be buried his native Baba II village. The armed separatists, we gathered, were demanding from the SDF leadership, an undisclosed sum of money as condition for Fru Ndi to be interred in Baba II.

The SDF has however not publicly reacted to the incident which material damage is yet to be established. 

The party has also not refuted reports that it came under pressure from Amba fighters who are demanding money as prerequisite for Fru Ndi to be buried in Baba II.

No Ambazonia separatist group has overtly claimed responsibility for last Thursday’s night attack, which came less than two weeks to the official funeral of Ni John Fru Ndi, who died in June this year.

It is not the first time armed men, believed to be separatist fighters, were targeting the residence of the now late political figure and statesman.

Recall that in October 2018, suspected Amba fighters had razed part of his same Baba II villa. Then, sources had said his residence went up in flames after suspected armed men set it on fire before taking to their heels.

Residents had however succeeded to put off the fire, though it had consumed a greater part of the building with several household items burnt to ashes. 

We gathered that Fru Ndi’s sister, one Christy Akum, was reportedly abducted by the armed men in the course of the incident then.

Earlier in March of same year, fire had erupted in part of the Chairman’s kitchen at his Bamenda residence. Locals had described the incident as an arson attack although the fire was quickly put off.

The fire incident came a week after the now late NI John Fru Ndi had defied separatist threats to organise the SDF convention in Bamenda.

Separatists had sent warning signals vowing to disrupt the convention if it went on as planned but the Chairman had vowed in an interview that “I am a fighter”. He had vowed to resist any threats from secessionists.

Fru Ndi journeys home July 29

The latest fire incident at Fru Ndi’s Baba II residence, comes less than two weeks to his official funeral, slated for July 29.

He will begin his final journey to the world beyond on Thursday July 27, with an ecumenical service to be staged at the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex.

On Friday July 28, his mortal remains will be will conveyed to Bamenda. He will be buried on Saturday July 29 in his native Baba II village, in Santa Subdivision of the North West Region.