Bamenda drama of death could have been avoided!.

But in Bamenda, Rambo, was terrorised to cowardly submission by suspected Ambazonia "terrorists". He was rescued, thanks to the swift intervention of the valiant defence and security operatives.

It wasn't a movie rehearsal, but a drama of death that could have been avoided by the movie company that invited Rambo, DAMA Films, which in a press statement confirmed the killings.

The release pointed out that: "DAMA Films received Nollywood actor, Sylvester Madu aka Shina Rambo, on Thursday the 23rd of November 2023, in Bamenda for a movie shoot advocating against hard drug addiction. While concluding the movie, we received an invitation for a guest appearance at BIG G VIP, located at Mile 3 Nkwen".

They explained that a snooker championship had been organised by their host to begin at 3 p.m. and "everything went well with fans meeting Sylvester Madu. At past 10 p.m. we heard gunshots from outside, and many ran helter-skelter, leading to the death of four civilians and over 10 wounded. The police intervened, securing the safety of the Nollywood actor, Sylvester Madu and dispersed the crowd".

DAMA Films also said in the same press release that Sylvester Madu had already concluded his mission to Bamenda, adding that he is in good hands, as they look forward for his safe return to Nigeria.

A lot of material damage was also recorded in the course of the attack as all those who were drinking around the area ran for safety.

The Guardian Post wishes those injured quick recovery and send condolences to the families of the bereaved. 

But for the quick intervention of the security forces, the number of victims who initially were four and later rose to five, would have been more catastrophic.

The drama of horror and murder of innocent Cameroonians could have been avoided if DAMA Films took precaution. 

Firstly, they should have known that Bamenda, and the rest of the North West and South West Regions, have been declared "risky zones" by the government.

Secondly, they should have been abreast with the fact that the separatist warlords do not see Nigeria as a "friendly" country; following the deportation of their leaders to Cameroon where they are serving life sentences.

In such a diplomatic acrimony, the separatists knew that kidnapping or even killing a Nigerian actor would have been taking a pound of flesh from Abuja.

The organisers were abreast with the insecurity in Bamenda, especially in the Bamenda III Council municipality, where the attack took place. Even if they had to take their guest there, why was it not done in secrecy? 

Why were security forces not informed to take guard at the spot if they had to take Madu there?

As it is said, all is bad that ends badly. Madu was saved and was not even able to demonstrate the bravery and terrorising character of the criminal- turned Man of God, whose pseudo name he is using. But Cameroonians are grieving and mourning the murder of compatriots while others are nursing painful injuries in hospital.

While The Guardian Post blames the movie company for their insensitivities to the insecurity situation in the Regions, the Cameroon government cannot also be exonerated.

Yaounde for months and years has maintained the failed policy of "normalcy returning" to the two Anglophone Regions. Admittedly, they have been moments of a lull in insecurity. But history teaches that those are adverse characteristics of all asymmetric warfare.

They are often spiked by sporadic attacks that have in recent times been felt in the murder of some 25 people in their sleep in Egbekaw village in Manyu Division of the South West Region and the kidnapping and slaughtering of Passi Christopher, Deputy Mayor of Balikumbat Council, who was also Principal of Government Bilingual High School, GBHS, Mbeunkong in Bamunka-Ndop, in Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region. 

Those are not signs of any situation "normalising". It is a fatal graph of atrocities. Government apologists should stop pretending it is ameliorating and seek for a political situation to bring lasting peace and security in the two Regions in particular and the country as a whole.