Weekend of horror in North West
Dozens killed in bloody military raid in Menka, Pinyin
Fru Ndi, Akere Muna, Agbor Balla weep for Menka
By Moma Sandrine
On May 26, 2018, SDF National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi conducted a field visit to the inn in Menka where at least 27 individuals were shot to death by security forces in the wee hours of May 25.
Upon arrival, neighbours flocked to the premises where some relatives of the deceased could be seen collecting the remaining corpses.
According to the testimony of Menka residents and the owner of Star Hotel in Menka Pinyin, on Wednesday May 23, 2018 a group of five boys forcefully occupied his inn located in Menka – Pinyin claiming to be Amba fighters. They set up camp there and recruited additional boys around the community and other neighbouring villages like Bali. They equally kidnapped young girls whom they turned into sex slaves. They also engaged in stealing, extorting, looting and harassment of locals.
Yesterday at about 5am the security forces invaded the premises and gunned down every one there including the girls who had been kidnapped by the criminal gang for sexual exploitation.
In all about 27 people were killed and about 29 guns, knives and cutlasses recovered from the premises.
By the time we left the location at 2pm there were three uncollected corpses at the inn.
Star Hotel is said to belong to a certain Cletus Che and his family who had stopped running the business due to the challenges he faced.
Military chases survivors, kills them in hospital
In a very strange twist of event, three members of the said gang who survived bullets were chased to the hospital. The soldiers are said to have intimidated the doctors and nurses at the Akum hospital, taken the three suspects out and killed them point blank.
Many are yet to come to terms with this (un)professionalism shown by the military – even supposed victims were killed in the carnage.
Akere Muna reacts
As much as one can understand the fact the government is worried about the sovereignty of the state and interference in its internal affairs, it is untenable that it remains numb to the continuous loss of life. The recent killings in Menji-Pinyin of innocent unarmed civilians shows the total disregard for human life and growing human plight in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon. Soldiers continue to be forced into war against their own fellow citizens and hatred is fed every single day.
How many more lives should be lost?
How many? When it comes to International Humanitarian Law, one can no longer talk about sovereignty.
War crimes are being committed; there are international bodies that have the mandate to investigate these. My call is for the United Nations and the International community to immediately intervene to prevent the further loss of life. I mourn with the bereaved families and pray for the innocent souls of those who have lost their lives in the most brutal circumstances. We Cameroonians at this moment of great sadness must stretch a hand of fellowship to each other and pray for immediate inclusive dialogue.
God help us. God help our country Cameroon.
Enter Agbor Balla
Pinyin, Bali and Batibo our hearts are with you during this painful moment. Seeing images of more than 40 youths dead in 48 hours; we must stand up together as one and reverse this senseless war.
