CI-NEWS

“The Defence and Security Forces are friends of the people” – Military, Gendarmerie Commanders tell

2020-02-11

No: 470

“The Defence and Security Forces are friends of the people” – Military, Gendarmerie Commanders tell North West population .

“The Commander of the 5th Joint Military Region, Brigadier General Nka Valère and the Commander of the 5th Gendarmerie Region, Brigadier General Ekongwese Divine Nnoko, inform the population of the North West Region that the Defense and Security Forces are in the Region for their protection and security.”

The above is contained in a document dated Thursday, February 6, 2020 and attributed to the two top security officials in the North West Region where the Security and Defence Forces are battling armed separatists who seek an independent state they call Ambazonia.

Parliamentary and municipal elections took place in Cameroon on February 9, 2020 amid threats by separatists. In early January, separatist leaders said they would be imposing a six-day lockdown from February 6 to 12 in the troubled Anglophone regions where they are fighting to create an independent nation in a bid to stop the elections from taking place.

In the joint communiqué, Brigadier General Nka Valère and Brigadier General Ekongwese Divine Nnoko called on the population to shun fear and be aware that the Defense and Security Forces are there for their protection.

The communiqué reads: “They hereby reassure the people that there is no need for fear as they go about their daily activities.

“The generals make it clear that the Defense and Security Forces are friends of the people.

“The population is informed that the following toll-free numbers are available for them to call in case of any complaints they may have about their security: 113, 117 and 118.

“The Defense and Security Forces will attend to any complaints forwarded to them immediately.”

Last month, Brigadier General Nka said the army will “crush” separatists who persist to disturb the elections.

“To the so-called (separatist) generals… I want to issue them a strong warning. We are aware of the plans to disrupt the electoral process and we already know the hideouts,” Nka told reporters after 400 troops jogged through the city of Bamenda to demonstrate strength and assure civilians of security.

“We are going to step up military operations and if they don’t lay down their weapons, we are going to strike and crush them,” he added.

Cameroon has deployed troops to the regions to ensure security before, during and after the elections.

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“The Defence and Security Forces are friends of the people” – Military, Gendarmerie Commanders tell