The regional governor confirmed on Monday that gunmen had carried out an attack at a bustling intersection in the city of Bamenda, located in the troubled northwest region of Cameroon. The assailants killed 10 individuals and left two others injured.
According to a witness, the attackers arrived in vehicles late on Sunday and demanded that people lie on the ground, accusing them of failing to support local separatist causes. Some individuals complied with the orders, while others attempted to flee. The attackers then opened fire.
The Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF), the primary separatist group in the English-speaking region, which has been engaged in a conflict since 2017 to protest perceived marginalization by the predominantly French-speaking government, denied any involvement in the attack.
North West region governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique told Reuters a manhunt had been launched for the “terrorists” behind the massacre. “Investigations are on, and we will issue a statement on this later today,” he added.
The witness said men in military uniforms arrived in two vehicles to storm Nacho Junction, where restaurants, bars and shops are located, at around 7:30 p.m. (1830 GMT).
They shot at people indiscriminately, the witness said, before taking off.
“There is possibility that it could be revenge killing,” ADF spokesperson Lucas Asu said, suggesting the attackers could have been disguised as separatist fighters.
More than 6,000 people have been killed in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions since conflict erupted in 2017 after protests were violently suppressed.
Earlier this month, human rights group Amnesty International slammed government troops, militias and separatists for killings, rapes, torture, burning of houses and other atrocities in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions.
It said those who speak out were being threatened and detained.
Reporting by Amindeh Blaise Atabong; Editing by Anait Miridzhanian, Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Andrew Cawthorne.