Army Chief of Staff’s convoy attacked in South West

-        -  Convoy forced to retreat to Kumba from Big Ekombe

-        -  South West Governor travels by sea to install new Ndian SDO

BY ATIA TILARIOUS AZOHNWI

Gunmen believed to be loyal to the Ambazonia Defence Forces attacked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Rene Claude Meka Thursday, April 12, 2018. The convoy of the defense chief was driving along the Kumba–Ekondo-Titi road.

According to reliable sources, the convoy left Kumba and made a technical stopover at a military camp at Small Ekombe. There, all non-military officials who were part of the convoy were kept for safety.

The army chief of staff and his état major then proceeded on a mission to evaluate the security situation along the Kumba-Mundemba road. They were said to be heading towards Big Ekombe in Mbonge Subdivision when a heavy gunfire greeted the convoy.

There was a heated exchange of gunfire between the military and the armed group. The military is said to have made huge gains, with only one soldier sustaining an injury.

Contrary to social media propaganda, our source said the military overpowered the gunmen, before retreating to Kumba. It is believed that the intruders recorded heavy casualties from the gun battle.

The turn of events were so rapid that the Army Chief of Staff’s convoy retreated without stopping over at the Small Ekombe camp to pick up members of the delegation that had been left there.

The daylight attack unfolded between 1pm and 2pm that fateful Thursday.

The Army Chief of Staff was in the South West Region to assess for himself the security situation in the region.  It was a kind of control mission of the activities of the defense forces and a forum for him to hand down further directives.

After witnessing the challenge the defence forces are surmounting on a daily basis in the region, General Meka gave firm instructions to the troops on the line of battle.

The message from the Army Chief of Staff was for the population to return to their communities and also for them to collaborate with the defence forces. He saluted the bravery of the military before leaving the South West.

Locals say the “Amba boys” have made commuting along the Kumba-Mundemba corridor “a journey to hell”.

SW Governor travels by sea to install new Ndian SDO

Thursday’s heavy gunfire forced South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai to travel by sea to Mundemba on Friday where he installed the new Senior Divisional Officer for Ndian Division.

The governor was initially supposed to travel by road on Thursday ahead of Friday’s installation; but the security situation forced him to travel by sea instead.

Governor Okalia Bilai left Idenau for Mundemba early Friday morning. He got to Mundemba in time to installed Nwafua Lawrence Forwang as Ndian SDO. Nwafua was formerly serving as Secretary General at the South West Governor’s Office.

The governor in his installation address called on the population to continue to collaborate with the administration and the forces of law and order to maintain peace and security. He also enjoined them to conquer fear and send their children to school.

First published in The SUN Newspaper no. 0486 of Monday, April 16, 2018.

Command both water and Land - Governor Okalia tells new Ndian SDO

NTOU’OU NDONG Chamberlin, Ndian SDO

"Be SDO on land and in water." These are the words that were used by the Governor of the South West Region Bernard OKALIA BILAI to throw light on an aspect of the job description of the incoming Senior Divisional Officer for the Ndian Division, Ntou’ou Ndong Chamberlin, during the installation rituals in Mundemba on Saturday June 29, 2014.

At the tender age of 37, NTOU’OU NDONG Chamberlin’s appointment is the illustration of the Head of State’s intention to give new impetus to the administrative machinery in Cameroon.  The former Divisional officer of the Ebolowa 1 Sub-division makes a step forward in his administrative career, where he will be expected to display his “savoir faire” in the management of the maritime zone, notably the Bakassi peninsula which he is not familiar to.

Governor Okalia (R) commissions Ntou’ou Ndong

Governor Bernard OKALIA BILAI drew the attention of the father of four on the important role he has to play with respect to the smooth implementation of national laws of Cameroon, the consolidation of peaceful coexistence between various communities and the socio-economic development of the maritime zone. “Act with maximum firmness and show no tolerance to lawlessness on land and in the maritime zone” he added.

According to the Mayor of Mundemba, “the one and only problem” faced by the 150.000 inhabitants of the division originates from the deplorable road network. So far, the border division created in 1966, has received a sum of 4 billion FCFA from the State for the rehabilitation of the Kumba - Ekondo-titi – Isangele - Akwa road. The new supervisory authority of the Division will have to pay special attention to the completion of road projects.

Traditional rulers, the Forces of Law and Order, and heads of Municipalities were asked to work in synergy with the incoming S.D.O to put an end to anarchy in the Ndian Division.  The Number one of the Region openly exposed some limitations that have retarded the concretization of development-oriented projects. He denounced the attitude of some unpatriotic civil servants who have continuously refused to render functional administrative structures and who go to the extent of using state vehicles for clandestine public transportation.

He continued by giving firm instructions to the native of the Ntem Valley division, South Region pertaining to the contribution of Mayors in the amelioration of living conditions of the population in various localities. For a second time, Governor Okalia Bilai rebuked Mayors who administer their council areas on phone. All mayors will in the near future be compelled to reside in their council areas or relinquish power to their assistants. 

Noteworthy is the fact that, it is Presidential Decree number 2014/186 of June 4, 2014 that appoints NTOU’OU NDONG Chamberlin at the  helm of the Ndian Division, in replacement of Babila Akaou, who will take command as S.D.O of Mora, Mayo Sava division (Far North Region) in the days to come.

Christelle TELEWOU (SWGO)