Killing of five CDC workers is crime against humanity - Buea Bishop.

The labourers were returning from work when the truck transporting them was attacked by unidentified gunmen suspected to Amba fighters.

The attack, along the stretch of road off the Tiko-Douala highway from Mondoni Oil Mill, occurred February 10.

In a statement issued yesterday, Bishop Michael M. Bibi said he learnt with sadness the tragic news of the attack, which killed five workers and leaving several others wounded in the process.

“I vehemently condemn with the strongest words this devastating and despicable inhuman act which has no moral, judicial, social or political justification irrespective of the motive,” Bishop Bibi said.

According to the clergy, the act is not only a heinous crime against humanity but a “sin against God, as no one has the right to take away the life of another for whatever reasons”.

“Human life remains sacrosanct, and no one except God, has power over it,” he added. 

Bishop Bibi regretted that such abominable acts have become more common in communities today.

“As a Christian community we cannot be indifferent to the shedding of innocent blood, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, looting, destruction of livelihoods and displacement of people from their homes,” he added.

In the face of these happenings, the prelate urged Christians to remain resolute in professing their faith and bearing witness to Christ and to the dignity of all human life.

While extending his condolences to the families of the deceased, he called on God, in his infinite mercy, to grant eternal rest to the departed souls.

The diocesan communities of Buea were also exhorted to pray for the healing of wounds and strength to the survivors.

Calling on the Almighty God to grant true and lasting peace to the country, Bishop Bibi said: “Let us also pray for the repentance and conversion of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. May God continue to bless and heal our land”.

It should be noted that the General Manager of CDC, Franklin Ngoni Njie, in his February 11 statement on the incident, had announced the opening of investigation by competent authorities to ascertain the real perpetrators of the attack.  

Prior to the Bishop’s statement, other civil society activists and human rights defenders had described the attack as unacceptable and despicable.

According to rights and political activist, Edith Kah Walla, since the start of the crisis in 2016, the civilians have been suffering and paying the price for the senseless war.

“Six years of senseless violence and no perceptible gain on Anglophone cause,” she tweeted, adding that “violence clearly is not the solution”.

Reacting to the incident, prominent lawyer and former President of the Cameroon Bar, Barrister Akere Muna, described the incident as a “brutal massacre”.

He then 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”.

Reports suggest that Amba fighters launched the offensive on the civilians for failing to respect a two-day ghost town, which the separatists had imposed to frustrate celebration of the 2023 edition of the National Youth Day in the area.

In the meantime, the injured workers are said to be receiving treatment at the CDC Cottage Hospital in Tiko.