Boyo Division: One dies as suspected Amba fighters open fire on protesters.

The incident is reported to have happened on Sunday July 21. The Mbessa women had decided to embark on a peaceful protest, following the kidnap of an elderly man in the community by armed men, whom they said were separatist fighters. 

Tired of the numerous atrocities committed by the armed men, the women of the community, with permission from the village secret society, otherwise known as “Ngumba”, decided to embark on a peaceful protest.

They were on their way to the camp of the armed separatists that fateful day to demand the release of their community member, but upon approaching the camp, the separatist fighters reportedly opened fire on the women.

We learnt that the protesters ran for their lives in different directions, but a bullet unfortunately caught Feyufe Lauratrice, who died on the spot. Her body was only discovered the following day where the shooting occurred.

Many people have been condemning the act by separatist fighters, with some describing it as heartless and devilish, opining that opening fire on unarmed civilians is criminal. 

The killing of Feyufe Lauratrice is the latest incident in Belo Subdivision linked to the armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions.

It happened at the time the population of the municipality continue to mourn their Mayor, Dr Ngong Innocent Ankiambom, who was brutally assassinated by armed men on May 20, 2024. He will be laid to rest on Saturday July 27.

Belo municipality, it should be noted, is one of the hardest hit by the armed conflict in the country’s two Anglophone Regions, since the start of the Anglophone crisis in 2016.

By Bih Emmaculate Che & Ateba Nzelle Zinna Nahya (Journalist students on internship)

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3178 of Wednesday July 24, 2024