South Region: Former NW Gendarmerie Legion Commander, Colonel Zambo Nguema, interred.

He was laid to rest after military honours in Yaounde presided over by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Galax Yves Etoga.

The event was attended among others by senior officials of the National Gendarmerie, the Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique; the President of the North West Regional Assembly, Prof Fru Angwafor III; and the Senior Divisional Officer of the Meme Division, Ntou'ou Ndong Chamberlin.

Gendarmerie boss, Galax Etoga, in the course of the event, posthumously decorated the fallen soldier with the medal of cross of military valour on behalf of the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya.

Galax Etoga, on behalf of his hierarchy, described the late colonel as a senior officer who was disciplined and loyal to the institutions of the republic. He said the soldier distinctly served the nation with honor and pride, praising his strides in boosting the peace-building agenda in the North West Region.

“Colonel Zambo Ngema Etienne left an indelible mark on the defense forces in general and the national gendarmerie in particular, through his active contribution to maintaining peace in the North West Region,” Galax Etoga said. 

He added that: “His service to the nation and distinguished record would serve as an example to future generations of officers”.

Academic, professional backgrounds

The late gendarmerie official leaves behind a wife and three children. Late Colonel Zambo Nguema began active service in 2001 after completing his three-year training at the Combined Services Military Academy, EMIA, from 1998 to 2001.

He began service as a Sub-Lieutenant on July 1, 2001 before growing through the ranks to becoming a colonel on January 1, 2023. 

He had notably worked his way through to the rank of lieutenant and captain on July 1 2003 and July 1, 2008, respectively before rising to a squadron leader and a Lieutenant Colonel respectively on January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2018.

Responsibilities held across 27-yr long career

The late officer held several posts of responsibility during his time in service beginning with a four-year stint as commander of the 804 mobile service in Mundemba in Ndian Division of the South West Region from 2003 to 2007.

He later served in several other capacities. Among the other positions he held was that of the commander of the Makary gendarmerie company in Logone and Chari Division of the Far North Region.

Late Colonel Zambo Nguema also served as Chief of Forensic Research Service in the Third Gendarmerie Region, chief of staff of the Centre Gendarmerie Legion, sub-commander of the East Gendarmerie Legion and Commander of the North West Gendarmerie Legion where he served from March last year until he died on duty on May 27 this year.

“…It will be remembered that he was unquestionably a man of the field, earning special praise not only from all his bosses, but also from the colleagues who worked with him throughout his career,” the Commander of the Fifth Gendarmerie Region, Brigadier General Housseini Djibo, stated while reading the official homage of the during the military honours to the fallen soldier.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3523 of Monday August 04, 2025