Another Meta Fon in Captivity - Where is the Fon of Wumnemburg?

Another Meta Fon in Captivity - Where is the Fon of Wumnemburg?

For your attention, sorry for the late update. Before you start reading, note that the fon regained his freedom same day this report was published. He's been seen in public going about his normal life. 

H.R.H Mbacham Enock has been in captivity for over 4 days now. He was picked up by persons locals refer to as Amba Boys last week. Prior to his abduction according to what we learnt, the fon had previously been seriously tortured by the boys. Days later, they came and took him away to an undisclosed location. Some local sources say they saw him being driven on a bike towards Bafut. 

In finding out what could have caused his abduction, many locals suspect some financial squabbles at the centre of his abduction. A contract to grade the road from Zang Tembeng to Fringyeng had been awarded. The fon is said to have had a major role to play in the execution of the contract. 

H.R.H Mbacham Enock, Abducted Fon of Wumnemburg Village, Meta Clan, Mbengwi

On Friday February 5th 2021, we met the fon on the field in Zang Tembeng supervising the work as the bulldozer was opening up the road. Executing such a mega project in such a remote area void of the military, many foresaw it wasn't going to be a smooth ride. Contrracts are hardly executed in areas infested with the boys without pre-financial negotiations as they often demand their own share of the contract budget before okaying the work. 

Later on, disruptions started. As our local sources confided in us, the boys started coming in different groups and the last set that came seemed to have been the most dreaded. These were the ones that tortured the fon and carried away the battery of the bulldozer. One informant told us they even set fire on the bulldozer but it was quickly put off by some helpless locals who pleaded with them not to go to this extent of burning such a mega machine worth hundreds of millions that was hired to execute the job by the contractor whom we learnt but yet to confirm that is an indigene of Oshie. 

Bulldozer the Fighters Almost Set Ablaze. It's Battery Was Carried Away. Work on the Zang Tembeng-Fringyeng Road has Stopped

Before this, the bulldozer had worked right to Tonmutor and all was certain it'll reach Fringyeng. But with these disruptions, insecurity and allegations we can't confirm that money has changed hands severally and workers have come under life threatening incidences, one thing is obvious, unless otherwise, the contract will be abandoned. 

Where a road passes they say development follows. What now becomes the fate of the enclaved people of Toueumbeng, Ngameungeuh and Fringyeng? Certainly more suffering. They are helpless in the face of these squabbles. 

Unfortunately the Wumnemburg Fon's abduction is seemingly a non event. Many don't even know it, those that know don't talk about it. There's been no official statement, press release or condemnation message demanding for his immediate release from neither any individual nor constituted group. 

This is How Villagers Suffer on the Bumpy Toueumbeng Road that was Being Graded But Has Unfortunately Been Abandoned Due to Security Threats

We note that this isn't the first time the fon is experiencing such since the Anglophone Crisis started. We learnt this should be about the 7th time he is facing the wrath of the boys. In December 2019, the spate of kidnapping Meta fons commenced  or probably heightened as the fon of Wumnemburg and his colleague of Mbemi were picked up and dragged to a detention camp where they were tortured for days before being later released. 

After this macabre act, the fon of Mbemi, H.R.H Mbabit absconded the throne and has since then been seeking refuge somewhere out of the village though he continues monitoring affairs back home and giving instructions to his subjects. That of Wumnemburg decided to stay put probably reason why from time to time he's been facing such humiliation. But is he the only fon left on the ground? Certainly no though at least 25 out of the 32 Fons that make up the Meta clan are not in their palaces. While some left the kitchen because of inability to continue bearing the heat, others are out because of work and simply come home from time to time for a brief stay.

It should be recalled in August 2020, the Meta Clan Head, H.R.H Teghenicha of Zang Tabi and the Fon of Ku Village  in the Bome valley of the Meta clan were also kidnapped by Non State Armed Fighters. Though the former was sooner released, the latter spent over a month in captivity and ever since his release thereafter, he's not been spotted anywhere in Mbengwi again. 

This is How the Zang-Tembeng Road was Already Looking Like Before the Disruption

During this period, the perpetrators faced condemnation. The Meta Fon's Union (MEFU) made public a release in which they 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... 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."

Since then till date, we don't know if the perpetrators did actually table an apology letter to the fons for touching their colleagues. What we know is that barely over six months after, the Fon of Wumnemburg is again nowhere to be found. 

Despite the relatively calm atmosphere in Mbengwi, issues of insecurity have continued to occur underneath. The construction of some classrooms in G.S Wumsom has been stopped by the fighters who went and pushed down the already mounted walls, forcing it to be abandoned. Benches that were supposed to be supplied to the school have been dumped at the Momo Divisional Delegation of Basic Education. Certainly weevils will start eating them up. On Tuesday January 19 2021, precisely in the morning, an Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D) was detonated in Mile 17 Mbengwi targeting a military truck but missed it. No casualties were recorded but for some arrests that were made and later released.

Government School Wumsom, One of the Oldest in the Subdivision Where Classrooms Can't be Constructed, Benches Can't be Supplied Because of Insecurity

On Sunday March 7 2021, another I.E.D was detonated at the Mbon park around 8:30pm. Reports say people were catching fun in the bars when the explosion sound was heard. Information gathered later say some guys came to a lady whose only name we got as Ngum selling roasted fish, bought some, then gave her a bag to hold while they go get other items from a nearby store and will then pass and collect it back when returning. She took the bag and kept it not far from her then continued her business. As the guys were leaving, they detonated the "bomb". Luckily, the lady sustained just minor injuries. She's continued her business and life has continued to go on in Mbengwi normally. 

On Sunday March 14, a guy whose only name we got as Nya-Nya (probably a nickname) was shot on the neck in Guneku. Reports say he was shot by separatist fighters. We don't yet have apt information as to why but at press time, he had been rushed to Bamenda from where he is receiving intensive medical attention. Before this, a couple of weeks back, we also learnt one guy from Zang Tabi by name Isaac was shot and killed in Kobenyang in what many term a set up. He's suspected to have been killed by the military according to our informants who unfortunately can't prove their claim.

Isaac, the Bike Rider/CYF Member from Zang Tabi that was Killed in Kobenyang, last week end of February. 

Mbon Motor Park, Mile 18 Mbengwi, the Economic Hub of the Subdivision on a Ghost Town Day

During the last gun battles that shutdown Bamenda, precisely on Wednesday March 10 2021, one civilian, a guy was killed. We've learnt he was a native of Njindom village. He was transported home and buried. These happenings and many more may be taken for the ordinary especially when one isn't on the ground. But in reality, life goes on lively on what some fondly refer to as Ground Zero and issues of insecurity are exceptional happenings which really do not longer frighten people. The common expression nowadays is "Anyhow way e dey" meaning whatever the case, life goes on.

When the Medig and Tondig zones of the Meta clan became red zones (Amba fief), the government established a BIR camp in Nyen to counter their activities. Several of the fighters were killed during during this period. A cordial civilo-miltary relationship was established. Locals felt comfortable with the presence of the BIRs. During the 2020 end of year festivities, we got reports of these men in uniform drinking and dancing in local popular joints with civilians. 

Abducted Fon of Wumnemburg (R), Once Abducted Fon of Mbemi (M) & Fon of Njindom (L) During a Road Supervision Project on Monday November 25 2019. These Tondig fons were already envisaging the Imminent Formation of a Joint Development Association like BADA that Covers the Whole of Bome

However the camp was closed during CHAN 2021 as the elements were redeployed to the South West region to beef up security. Immediately they left, the fighters that had gone into hiding resurfaced. Not long, atrocities are already being recorded. Many persons who refused to be named have on several occasions told us they want the BIRs to come back. 

While these insecurity challenges are being recorded, there seems to have been a silver lining in the dark cloud as one dreaded fighter that was known as Fielding or Tupac is said to have laid down his arms and submitted himself for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration. No official statement has been made yet on his dropping of arms. Multiple sources in Njembeng quarter, Ku village that witnessed the scene authoritatively told us he's answered the call to leave the bushes and surrendered himself. He used to be feared in Njembeng, Bome and the entire subdivision as several failed attempts to gun him down had been reported in the past  from mouth to ear