By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Joseph Essama
Published on 2024-02-11 14:07:40
The bomb that was allegedly prepared to cause casualties during the National Youth Day celebration ceremony exploded at the festival grounds, causing serious injuries.
In Nkambe, in the North-West region, Donga-Mantung department, an improvised explosive device exploded on February 11 at the festival grounds. The information was provided by journalist Armand Ougock, Publisher of the Transition newspaper. The makeshift bomb, which was allegedly prepared to disrupt the celebration, exploded a few minutes after the end of the parade, while everyone was still at the ceremony site. The exact time of the explosion was not given and no armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack. In the videos we have obtained, we can see students and officials panicked after the explosion. Law enforcement immediately stormed the festival grounds. At the moment, it is very difficult to say how many victims were recorded. But based on the photos and videos we are receiving, we can see serious injuries, amputated persons, and others who were completely wounded.
However, analysts have no doubt that this attack is the work of separatist groups that have been carrying out atrocities in this part of the country for the past few days.
A few days ago, the sub-prefect of Bamenda II was kidnapped by separatists while he was on his way to the installation of the sub-prefect of Nkambe, the capital of the Donga Mantung department in the North-West region. According to information obtained from reliable sources, the sub-prefect, apparently in a hurry, made the mistake of leaving the slow-moving gendarmerie escort behind to take the lead by driving faster. This made it easy for the separatists ambushed on the road to abduct him and the five people with him. They were kidnapped and their official vehicles were abandoned at the abduction site.
Less than 24 hours later, Nicholas Nkongho Manchang, the sub-prefect of Bamenda II, and five other people kidnapped on the same day were released according to the governor of the North-West region. The administrative authority did not give details on the conditions of the sub-prefect and his companions’ release. The head of the North-West region simply praised “the bravery and professionalism” of the defense and security forces that led to this release, and urged the population to continue cooperating to free the other hostages still held by the separatist fighters.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
