Manchang Nicholas Nkongho: Escaped from Amba camp, killed a year later.

The civil administrator, as per an announcement issued by the North West Governor’s Office, died at the Douala General Hospital on July 29, 2025. 

The announcement, signed on behalf of Governor Adolphe Lele, by the Secretary General at the North West Governor’s Office, Saidouna Ali, further indicates the deceased administrator was receiving treatment after a “violent attack by armed robbers”. The statement also extends the condolences of the Minister of Territorial Administration to the bereaved family. 

The DO, we had gathered, was shot at close range at a guesthouse in Limbe. Reports hold that he had travelled to the South West Region for the burial of his elder brother’s wife, before the attack. 

The late Divisional Officer, it should be said, was on July 22, appointed by the Head of State, Paul Biya, in the same capacity in Baham, in the Upper Plateau Division of the West Region. 

The late Manchang, it should be recalled, was installed as DO of Bamenda II Subdivision, on July 2, 2020.

The native of Eyumojock Subdivision, Manyu Division of the South West Region, before his appointment as Bamenda II DO, served in the same capacity in Belo Subdivision still in the North West Region. 

He also previously served as First Assistant Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Boyo in the North West Region. 

Ordeals before death 

The attack in Limbe, which has finally led to the death of Nicholas Manchang, was the second attempt on his life.

On February 6, 2024, he was abducted by suspected separatist fighters in Ntumbaw, Ndu Subdivision in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region. 

Nicholas Manchang was kidnapped alongside six others, while travelling to Nkambe for the installation of the new Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division.

He later regained his freedom, thanks to the intervention of defense and security forces. 

Nicolas Nkongho Manchang, it should be said, is the second civil administrator serving in the two troubled English-speaking Regions, who has so far been killed by separatist fighters, since the Anglophone crisis morphed into an armed conflict in 2017. 

The DO of Batibo, Namata Marcel Diteng, was the first civil administrator to be kidnapped by separatist fighters, on February 11, 2018, and later killed in captivity, months later. 

Worth noting is the fact that several civil administrators serving in the two restive Regions have narrowly cheated death in separate separatist attacks.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3520 of Thursday July 31, 2025