Killing of five CDC workers by Amba fighters: Unacceptable, Despicable!.

The Amba fighters injured several other workers in the process, leaving the population in shock.

The killings have been described across the nation and beyond as being unacceptable and despicable. In a reaction following the incident, renowned lawyer and former President of the Cameroon Bar, Barrister Akere Muna described the incident as a “brutal massacre,” adding that, it “is horrifying”. 

The respected lawyer questioned: “How can any cause be advanced by the random terrorising and murder of citizens struggling to make a living? My sincere condolences to the bereaved families”.

For Edith Kah Walla, leader of the Cameroon People’s Party, CPP, the incident brings to remembrance, “six years of senseless violence and no perceptible gain on Anglophone cause”.

The politician in a tweet on the issue also said: “Violence clearly is not the solution,” adding that: “Only the population suffers”.

Deputy British High Commissioner to Cameroon, Nigel Holmes, who observed that the killing is “apparently” the handiwork of a Non-State-Armed Group, NSAG, remarked that, “killing six and injuring over 40 is entirely unacceptable”.

Civilians, the diplomat stated, are not supposed to be targeted. He urged authorities to investigate and hold those responsible to account.

According to sources, the labourers working under the Banana Group, of the CDC were returning from the plantation when the gunmen ambushed and opened fire. At least five workers were killed on spot while several others were injured.

The Amba fighters are said to have launched the offensive on the civilians for failing to respect a two-day separatist imposed ghost town. The ghost town was reportedly imposed by the separatist in a bid to frustrate celebration of the 2023 edition of the National Youth Day in the area.

The injured workers were rushed to the CDC Cottage Hospital in Tiko, where they are currently receiving treatment.

CDC management calls for calm, vigilance

The management of CDC in a statement issued Friday confirmed the tragic incident. The statement was signed by CDC General Manager, Franklin Ngoni Njie.

According to the CDC boss, the attack which occurred at about 5:30pm that day, took place on the stretch of road off the Tiko-Douala road to the Mondoni Oil Mill.

“Unidentified gunmen attacked a personnel career transporting workers of the Banana Group who were returning from work,” the statement read before revealing that four male and one female workers were the immediate casualties.  

As at Saturday February 11, the CDC GM said 44 workers are receiving treatment at the Tiko Cottage Hospital for various injuries. One severe case, he further wrote, “has been referred to another health facility for specialist attention”.

Stating that the motive for the attack remains unclear, the GM announced that investigations have been opened by the competent authorities of the State to uncover the identity of the assailants.

While extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the General Manager expressed his sympathy and wish for speedy recovery to the hospitalised workers.

In the meantime, the CDC GM has called on the entire work force of the corporation to stay calm, focused and vigilant as they carry on with the daily duties.

Though the name of the deceased workers were not mentioned in the communique, a source revealed the names of the deceased victims include Victor Ndanji, Ebude Elizabeth, Ngoe Sakwe, Away Pascal and a certain Ambo. 

It should be recalled that this is the umpteenth time that workers of CDC have come under attack from the separatist fighters since the social upheavals morphed into an armed conflict.