Gov’t intensifies nationwide manhunt for suspected separatist supporters.

In this light, defence and security forces have been indiscriminately arresting all those suspected to be Ambazonia activists, collaborators and sympathisers and also those suspected to engage in activities of the now outlawed Southern Cameroons National Council, SCNC. 

Sources say the arrested persons are being tortured and detained under inhumane conditions. Some are reported to have died in detention.

For fear of their lives, many have fled and their whereabouts is not known.

A case in point is that of Ndi Isabella Ambang, a 29-year-old from Mbengwi, Momo Division of the North West Region, who previously served at the University of Bamenda. Her current whereabouts remains unknown. 

She is reportedly under investigation as a suspected supporter of armed separatist groups operating in the country’s Anglophone regions.

Officials say they have received information from the University of Bamenda indicating that Ambang abandoned her service in 2023. Authorities have appealed to the public to provide any information that could help locate her.

“Just like others under investigation, we urge all Cameroonians to report any suspected supporters of the Amba fighters who are terrorising the English-speaking regions. Let us work together to restore peace and unity,” an official statement read.

Authorities have emphasised that Ambang’s location remains unknown and that the intensified search reflects ongoing efforts to maintain security and stability across conflict-affected areas of the country. Citizens with relevant information have been encouraged to come forward.

It should be recalled that leaders of the Anglophone separatist movements including Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and nine others, who were arrested in Abuja, Nigeria in January 2018 and later extradited to Yaounde, were in August 2019, handed life jail sentences by the military tribunal.

Many other activists such as Mancho Bibixy, Penn Terrence, Tsi Conrad, among others, are serving jail terms at the Kondengui Maximum Security prison.

It should be noted that many people, both civilians and security forces, have been killed in the crisis, many more internally displaced and over 70,000 have fled to neighbouring Nigeria where they are living as refugees.

While the Anglophone crisis continues, international organisations and other western powers have called on the government to address the root cause through genuine and inclusive dialogue.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No: 3593 of Monday October 13, 2025