Defence Forces Saluted for Tact in Recapturing Bafut

Defence Forces Saluted for Tact in Recapturing Bafut

State forces currently engaged in combatting non state armed groups in Bafut sub division in Mezam division, North West region of Cameroon have been saluted for their bravery, tact and strict respect of International Humanitarian Laws, war principles and mission instructions from hierarchy as the operation to recapture the sub division from the grip of the fighters that had made it their stronghold continues. 

General Nka Valère (L) & General Ekongwese Divine (after him) congratulating the Troops

The defence and security forces were congratulated by General Nka Valère and Ekongwese Divine of the Joint 5th Military Region and 5th Gendarmerie Region respectively on Tuesday June 2nd 2020 during a visit to the Bafut airport to ascertain the successes and challenges of the squad. Reporting on the outcome of the mission, Colonel Matiang Charles Alain that's been leading the combined team of soldiers in Bafut presented a positive balance sheet to the two generals.

He said "Our Operation Free Bafut took place in two phases with the first targeting camp leaders and their boys in Acheni, Akosia and Nchum where we destroyed a local arms fabrication warehouse. During the second phase we targeted Upper Bafut from Nforya, Agyati, Nsani right to Mile 30 in Lower Bafut through nocturnal attacks during which we neutralised some of the fighters." Col. Matiang Charles Alain, commander of the 51st Motorised Infantry Batallion added that after seeing the success of the first operation, work was lessened during the second phase as most communities opted to offer information and guides from the population to voluntarily assist the men in uniform in the hunt for the fighters. 

Colonel Matiang Charles Alain (in front) presenting the "booty" to his bosses

He ended with a presentation of recovered items that included dane guns, locally made pistols and canons, chopped iron rods, bolts and nuts used in loading the canons, a human skull, a generator, motor batteries, weed, cartridges, bikes and cars amongst which was a Bafut council bike, tricycle and tipper which the fighters had seized. There was also a 30 seaters school bus that was donated by the Parents Teacher's Association of a secondary school in Bafut, a land cruiser jeep, a Carina E matriculated NW 1254 E, another matriculated LT 170 EJ and another matriculated NW 599 Ak. A herd of seized/stolen cattle that had become part of the wealth of an "Amba General" was also recovered. All of these items the colonel assured will be handed back to their rightful owners upon identification.

While appreciating the forces for the success of Operation Free Bafut Phase 2 after the first one that was executed about a month ago, General Nka Valère first extended a congratulatory message to them from the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo and the Commander in Chief of the Arm Force, President Paul Biya. "As you know, despite this success story, there's still much work to be done; that of restoring peace and security in the entire region as prescribed by the Head of State through the cleansing of Boyo, Bui, Menchum etc" said the general. He went on to define "Amba Boys" (non state armed fighters) as thieves, criminals, terrorists who go about seizing and confiscating cars, bikes, extorting money and other properties from the population.

Recovered Bikes & Cars

The soldiers were cautioned to guard against their latest enemy, COVID-19 through the compulsory wearing of face masks and hand washing  among other measures. General Ekongwese Divine on his part revealed that the population in the North West and South West regions had always been in fear, reason why they hadn't been collaborating with the military but now that they've started collaborating, things are getting better. "We want to congratulate the population for supporting us in our mission to take care of their security" he said. "We are happy that the population of the North West and particularly that of Bafut at home and abroad are adhering to the fact that we need security and peace in order for us to have development." he ended. 

The raid in Acheni took the men in uniform to the residence of the most wanted "General Alhaji", having Ngwa Seidou as real name where they got hold of his two daughters; one aged 20 and the other about 6. They weren't harmed and are being taken proper care of by the military. After narrating what transpired that they ended up finding themselves in a military barrack, the elder daughter said "They give us food, water and everything that we need"

The two daughters of "General Alhaji"

Their stay at the 501 airbase will be short lived as measures are already being put in place to get them back into society with absolute security to ensure they are not harmed. The two army generals assured that their welfare will be taken proper care of. The presentation of the outcome of the two operations in Bafut to the press came few days after some improvised explosive devices mounted by the armed fighters were dismantled, bags of marijuana seized and a recovered car handed back to its rightful owner, all of this done by the military.