Family members, close collaborators of Senator Regina Mundi, and the population have been overjoyed since Monday May 30 following her rescue from captivity by the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR after 31 days in captivity.
The warm-hearted information was disclosed in a Communiqué from the Ministry of Defence in the late hours of May 30. According to the release, Senator Regina Mundi was freed alongside several other hostages held captive by a separatist armed group in Ashong, a village in Momo division of the troubled North West Region. The kidnap of Senator Mundi who is a mother and grandmother had left deep sores in the hearts of many who look up to her motherly love for hope and a livelihood.
At press time, the joy in her Bamenda residence was inexplicable. Family members chose to withhold any public reaction until they set eyes on her.
Reacting to her freedom, GhejungAwunti, the Commissioner for Economic Development at the North West Regional Assembly and CPDM elite of Tubah, said: “Ma is an icon of Tubah and the face of the party in the region, being a polibureau member. Her freedom is very important to us her children. She is an icon to the women, children and communities in this region.”
From a heart of great relieve and gratitude like many in the region who have come close to Senator Mundi’s generosity, the overjoyed Awunti, doffed his hat to the defence and security forces who masterminded and secured her freedom unhurt with all military tact.
“In fact, this is the best news ever. I want to sincerely thank the BIR soldiers, the population for their collaboration and all those who committed Ma in prayers including the clergy during her captivity. We shall continue to work with Ma for the peace and development of our communities,” GhejungAwunti told L’Action.
The successful and neat release of Senator Mundi by defence and security forces with collaboration of the population marks the beginning of a new era in the Anglophone crisis. Ashong being the headquarters of separatists’ Amazonia Defence Forces, ADF was hard-thought to have enjoyed the collaboration of the population like this incident has registered. This, at a time when there is growing community demand for more military presence and the willingness to collaborate with armed forces in communities where the fighters have lodged their hideouts.
WIFAH J. NDE
