Society

Suspected Amba fighters demand 5 MFCFA to free newspaper Publisher.

by Mboh Promise
04 Dec 2025 15:43
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Blasius Charles Nji: The Pilot Publisher

Gunmen, believed to be Amba fighters, are reportedly holding Bamenda-based journalist and Publisher of The Pilot newspaper, Blasius Charles Nji.
According to his close colleagues, Nji was kidnapped in his neighbourhood of Ntankah in Nkwen, Bamenda III Subdivision, on Tuesday December 2, 2025, in the afternoon.

Several journalists in Bamenda have attested that Nji reached out to them on the phone, as the hoodlums forced him to seek financial help from his colleagues and family to secure his release. Details as to why he was abducted are short in supply.

Colleagues who exchanged with Nji, while in Amba hideout, have told this reporter that the supposed Anglophone liberators-turned oppressors, are demanding a ransom of 5 million FCFA to secure his release.

Journalism associations, colleagues demand release

Since the incident occurred on Tuesday, journalism associations, trade unions, and colleagues of the victim have been calling for his release.

In a statement, the Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ; Bamenda Chapter, has condemned the act and called for his unconditional release.

“We appeal to anyone holding Mr Nji Blasius to release him unarmed and without delay,” a section of the statement stated.

According to the statement, signed by CAMASEJ Bamenda Chapter President, Sah Terence, journalists simply do their job in times of conflicts and are not supposed to be targeted. He also enjoined actors to ensure the safety of journalists, for them to work without fear.

Another statement issued by the Bamenda Chapter of the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union, CJTU, where Nji is a member, said the abduction is an attack on the press.

“We strongly condemn this heinous act and demand his immediate release unharmed. This is considered a blatant attack on press freedom and the safety of journalists in the Region,” the trade union stated.

The kidnapping of Nji by gunmen comes just one month after Achomba Hans, a journalist and documentary filmmaker in Bamenda, was picked up from his residence by the forces of law and order.

Achomba was reportedly released a week after, following pressure from national and international organisations.

The series of attacks on the press are coming at a time Cameroon is still struggling with post-election violence and political instability.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3645 of Thursday December 04, 2025