Ngoketunjia: Two separatist fighters surrender, lay down arms in front of population.

The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Ngoketunjia, Quetong Handerson, accompanied by security forces, were on ground to witness the armed fighters drop their weapons.

During the event, both ex-fighters pleaded for forgiveness from the population, the military and the State. The two are expected to join the Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration, DDR Centre in Bamenda.

In a video widely circulated on social media, they could be seen in tears telling a huge crowd to forgive all the bad things they have done in the past.

“I am from Bamessing, but today I have decided to lay down my arms. I am thanking the people and nation for receiving us back as their children. We know that we have done so many wrong things, but please forgive us. We didn’t know that this is how it was going to be. Please we’re here for peace and we want peace in Ngoketunjia,” one of them said.

The brief event, which triggered the presence of a hug crowd, also saw the ex-fighters present guns and ammunitions, including AK47, machine guns, bullets and others to the security forces.

While presenting the former separatists to the population, the Ngoketunjia administdation called on the population to join hands and advise those who are still holding weapons to drop them and follow the footsteps of their friends.

"These are people who were there, but today they are begging to be accepted back in the society. I am calling on all us to come together and advise those who are still in the bushes that they should rethink,” Quetong said.

The two hitherto armed separatists, who have now surrendered and left the bushes, aren’t the first fighters from Ndop and Ngoketunjia Division at large to drop down their weapons. Several others have been doing so, thanks to the initiative of the SDO, administration and security forces.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3486 of Friday June 27, 2025