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Manhunt for notorious SCNC activists re-launched.

By Nche Hilarious.

The search for activists of the separatist Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC), described by security forces as notorious, has resumed. This, The Horizon gathered, happened in the wake of rising tension in the North West region which saw the brutal daylight killing of a married couple in Jakiri in Bui division by alleged Ambazonia fighters, on the eve of the 9 March 2020 twin parliamentary and municipal polls in Cameroon.

Although investigations are still ongoing with the intent to lay hands on the architects of the gruesome act, we were told that members of the SCNC, especially those who are well known by the forces of law and order, are being targeted. These, we further learned, are activists who have been identified as the ring leaders of the separatist group. Many of them are said to have been arrested and jailed a number of times during their meetings meant to distribute SCNC literature, radicalize new members and push forward their separatist agenda in other ways. How some of the arrested activists escaped from their detention cells, no one can tell.

A long list of what the security forces described as “this notorious gang” was brought to our newsroom at the weekend. On it are names such as Okon Ashu Kingsley (said to be of both Cameroonian and Nigerian origins), Mbidzenyuy Irene Womela, Ernest Fiezeh Tanjong, Edwin Lingom Tita, Tebit Ignace Nderiwo, Gabila Mathew Sama, Lucas Guenjang Ndi, Josephine Mforteh Abumbi and Nkemnchop Noel. Everyone on that list is described as notorious, but the nine names mentioned here are said to be those of the ring leaders.      

Some of these SCNC activists might have fallen in the dragnet of the security forces before, but they remain elusive today. Reports say they are either taking refuge in some remote areas of the North West region unknown to the defence and security forces, hiding in the forests along the border with Nigeria or might have travelled abroad.

However, one thing is certain. At a time when separatist fighters have no mercy for their victims, they are likely to face equal brutalization from the security forces if they are caught.