The people of Gayama and Bafmeng in Fugom Subdivision of Menchum division in the North West Region have made a plea to government to erect a military detachment and a police station in their communities to trackdown ‘bad boys’.
Following the assassination of Fon Fonkum Achuo Albert of Esu, one of the villages in Fungom subdivision by “armed terrorist”, as recounted by SDO of Menchum Abdoullahi Aliou, many a Menchum dwellers want the presence of insecurity around them.
In a recent visit by the army general of the 5th Joint Military Legion, Bragadier Gen Nkar Valere to Bafmeng for some civilo-military donations, the people made an outcry that with a military detachment and a police unit, they can easily work with the security elements to expose the men carrying arms in their communities.
Attacks on the civilian population in Fungom are mostly perpetrated by armed groups hosted in Furu Awa, sources have hinted. These groups operate in this area principally for the illegal exploitation of timber to neighbouring Nigeria. Among the bandits are Nigerians who have infused the territory for illegal gains, giving rise to the influx of arms.
Rampant kidnappings and ransom taking characterize the activities of these molesters. The groups are sometimes used for score settling by Menchum inhabitants, field sources have revealed.
It is thus the strong wish of the people of Fumgom who are willing to collaborate with the security forces that government brings the security presence closer to them in order to suppress the insurgence.
Menchum division has a military base in Wum, headquarter of the division with at least a detachment unit present in each of the subdivisions.
There is general calm in Fugom subdivision after the murder of the Fon Esu and his first wife by yet to be identified gunmen as government has opened an investigation to fish out the perpetrators, Menchum SDO assured.
WIFAH J. NDE
