Two Meta Fons Kidnapped, "Meta War Chambers", Fons, Others Condemn Act

 Two Meta Fons Kidnapped, "Meta War Chambers", Fons, Others Condemn Act 

Mbengwi has been seemingly calm and peaceful on a surface level but underneath, a spade of kidnappings and other security threats rage on. Those who fall victim have often privately negotiated their way out of the "lion's den"

Kidnapping for ransom has been adopted as a new way of making money. Non state armed groups locally known as Amba Boys said to be fighting for the restoration of the statehood of their country they call "Ambazonia" have continued to pounce on potential victims they often accuse of wrong doings. When negotiations are done, money changes hands, the victim is freed and the next hunt starts.

L: H.R.H Teghenicha of Zang Tabi (Meta Clan Head
R: H.R.H Fongu of Ku

The fon of Zang Tabi village, the seat of the Meta people was recently kidnapped on Thursday August 28 by the fighters, tortured and later released. The act provoked the release of condemnation audio messages from alleged "Ambazonia" activists abroad said to be the ones calling the shots on the ground (Meta land). The condemnation audio messages have been interpreted in some quarters as a confirmation of the inequality of humans. Those holding such a view wonder why such audio messages were never released to condemn the kidnap and torture of the fons of Mbemi and Wumnemburg in December last year and other Meta fons that have fallen prey to these fighters.

The Zang Tabi incidence was preceded by the kidnap of the Fon of Ku, H.R.H Fongu Henry on Tuesday August 26th. At press time, his whereabout remains unknown as he's still held incommunicado. The audio messages all condemned only the kidnap of the fon of Zang Tabi, H.R.H Teghenicha said to be the Clan Head of Meta with nothing mentioned about the fon of Ku whom Mbengwi Online learnt this wasn't the first time he was experiencing such humiliation.

The audio messages that have gone viral on many WhatsApp groups were recorded in the Meta language. The speakers, seven in number (6 males and one female) avoided introducing themselves but for that the message is coming from "Cham Bit Mitah" meaning The Meta War Chambers. The first speaker said "The Widikum tribe, Meta people at home and out, this message is coming from the Meta War Chambers that's out of the country. We greet you all on this day, 28 August 2020. This, we are doing with a heavy heart following the recent macabre act carried out by our fighters in the palace of Zang Tabi. Our fighters misbehaved to the point of kidnapping our father, the clan head of the Meta people, tortured him about a day ago. When we learnt of the incidence we became so worried and resolved that we won't stay mute without addressing it. We plead on the Meta people at home to  give us sometime to talk to these boys (the fighters) to go apologise because we never sent them and when that'll be done, the fon can then cleanse them... We are so very sorry because this is an abominable act our children have done."

The second speaker, the lone female voice on her part said "You guys have sent your hands where you shouldn't have. The Meta clan head suffered from your hands. That's something very bad. We hereby  distance ourselves from the act. You guys have smashed shit and all Meta people  are currently with wood ash in their palms in readiness to curse those who've smashed shit. They say your hand won't get bitter if you don't touch bitter leaves. The way Ambazonia wants to fix the country is such that nobody should be above the law, not even a fon but before accusing one of failing the law, you must prove. Those who touched the fon should know that before they can work again in Meta, before they can protect Meta again, before they can carry guns again, they must first go back and apologise to the fon of Zang else if the Meta people throw this wood ash in their palms at you, that gun you carry will turn and face you."

The third speaker on his part said "That's why we had instructed you that before you engage any mission, let us know so as to guide you but you said no, you'll grow on your own. Now you've smashed shit and all Meta people are with wood ash in their palms now ready to throw at you. You guys should rush back to the palace immediately and apologise. Before going call us. You know those who are talking and how to reach us."

The fourth speaker said in his own audio that "Know that we are the ones supporting these children, our fighters, in doing ground operations. The lessons we teach them are good ones but from time to time they keep going astray. I want to say those our brothers that took their hands and touched the fon with, the first thing is that it's so bad and you guys must make amends immediately. Just go back and apologise. I'm mentioning your names for the Meta people to know that you; Millipede, Dada and A2 must go back to meet the fon and apologise. We can't say whether you guys did this act because you wanted money or a stick (gun) from the fon. There are just two things you must do; either accept to  continue fighting to protect the Meta people or you simply remove your shoes, uniforms, strip off that name of  Ambazonia fighter and back out, look for somewhere and start working your farm. That's what we are telling you, that this thing you've done is an abomination. It's brought us shame and disgrace to your brothers fighting with all their good heart. We don't want thieves among us and we will never let such happen. Are you guys not ashamed for carrying out such an act? This war we're fighting today wasn't called by us but by the enemy and why we're fighting is because we don't like what the oppressor has been doing to us. These are the very oppressions we are rather oppressing our own people with. There's no difference. If we turn our people against us, then we've lost the war. If those you're supposed to be fighting to protect turn against you, your days will be short on earth. I thus plead with all Meta people at home and out to stay calm while we sort out this issue. Report to us those fighters on the grown that are going wayward. All of us will work together to ensure our fighters on the ground fight in honesty and fight the way we want. I thank you all very much."

The other speakers with a very good mastery of the Meta language used proverbs to pass across their own message.  "Know that you don't bite a bullet. Those who have ears, let them hear" warned one of them. "Who gave instructions to the fighters to go touch the fon? Who are these fighters flying without knowing their boundaries? Does it mean a snake wants to start drinking tea not knowing what tea will do to its mouth?" another wondered. "Let this be made clear to all Meta people that anyone that touched the fon with his hands because he's a fighter, woe betides him. He that touched the "Kwihfor" (a dreaded masquerade) of the Meta people with his hands, let that hand get rotten. I'm saying that from now henceforth, if you dare touch any fon again, may that hand get rotten. These ones that have touched the clan head, well, wait to hear from the "Kwihfor". You've touched the comb of a wasp. It'll stink your ears and eyes. This is a warning note I'm sounding that should any  fon in Meta be touched again, the " Kwihfor" will speak" he ended his own message.

The last speaker on his part, speaking as a man with grey hair lamented that "The rain has fallen without dark clouds. The fighters have dirtied the water from above. They've defecated in their loin. Go and clean your linen immediately before this shit starts smelling people"

Apart from the viral audio messages from members of the Meta War Chambers, other condemnations have also been pronounced by individuals like U.S based  Walters Ndi, coordinator of MECUDA International WhatsApp group who posted that "Bongob of the Meta clan, we condemn in the strongest term every act of adoption and threat to our Meta fons/fathers and palaces. I know we have influential bongob in this house who can ensure that this does not happen again. Please do yourself and us the Meta people a favour and stop this abomination from happening again. It's unacceptable."

The Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA) is yet to officially react on the subject. Mbengwi Online notes that they've never officially reacted to the past kidnappings and torture of some Meta fons. Condemnations have however been made on individuals basis not as the associayion. The Ku Cultural and Development Association (KUCUDA) and the Zang Tabi Cultural and Development Association (ZATACUDA) have also on their part not sent out any official press release condemning the act. 

However, the Meta Fons' Union (MEFU) is said to have reacted  via an official communique signed by its president, H.R.H Fominyen of Nyen. In the release, the fons said:

"We the Fons of Meta, observe with regrets the recent spade of abduction and torture of two of ours. In the recent past the Fons of Kai, Njimetu, Bessi Fomukong, Ngwokwong,  Mbemi and Wumneburg had been taken, tortured and humiliated.  It has happened again. On Aug 25, 2020,  H.R.H the fon of Zang Tabi was taken away, tortured and released only after being badly injured. As we write,  H.R.H the fon of Ku is still being held and undergoing torture.  To have touched a Fon is disrespectful.  To have laid torture on a Fon is even abominable.  We deplore these acts with the greatest indignation and call on the children keeping the Fon, who indeed are evidently of Meta stock, to unconditionally and without delay, release the Fon. We call on these persons to equally table an apology to the Meta people for having carried out such an abominable act. We call for calm from all the people of Meta and for them to stay strong in the light of these happening as we seek a redress to them. Signed - Fons of Meta"