There are growing voices from the people of this Division lately calling for government to step up the presence of defense and security forces in their division with the erection of a military base.
Though it was among the last divisions in the region to record an amba group, Ngoketunjia has become the epicentre of separatist atrocities.
Buttress by porous borders, armed groups from neighbouring divisions and villages penetrate the division to commit atrocities on the locals and vamoose in thin air.
The people of this locality in the region have been subjected to persistent kidnapping for ransom, schools grounded, and their economic activities a farce and sometimes even going to their farms is guided by dictates of amba warlords.
The area registers numerous roadblocks obstructing the flow of traffic between Bamenda, the regional capital and two other divisions; Bui and Donga Mantung. Farmers have often suffered huge losses due to these roadblocks which are sometimes unannounced, resulting in wanton food damage of their perishable farm products, let alone drivers who have lost their vehicles along the Ndop road for not respecting ‘lockdowns’.
These atrocities which keep growing on a daily basis have brought the people of Ngoketunjia division to their knees, requesting government to put up a military base in their division so that with their local support, the haters of peace and obstructers of development be napped for the peace loving Ngoketunjia people to enjoy peace again.
The once buoyant division which is host to Upper Nun Valley Development Authority UNVDA; one of the country’s main rice producers and hub of fish, groundnuts and corn in the region is in desperate quest for security so as to enjoy this life again.
Efforts made by CPDM elite and local administrators to preach peace to the people of this division have been watered down due to persistent threats from separatists who now assume the role of landlords.
Members of vigilante groups set up by the locals of this area in collaboration with the administration have in several occasions been overpowered by armed separatists given that they are unable to get ready backup from the scarce presence of security forces.
A military base in Ngoketunjia now, the people are convinced will see the capture of the dreaded separatist fighter, self-styled ‘general’ No Pity, and his ‘comrades in arms’.
WIFAH J. NDE
