By Ebi Kesiena
Cameroonian troops have successfully rescued eight students who were abducted by “armed terrorists” from a government school in the conflict-ridden English-speaking region of Northwest, as confirmed by an official statement on Wednesday.
According to Abdoullahi Aliou, the prefect of Menchum division, the students, along with the vice-principal and discipline master, were kidnapped at 9:30 am on Tuesday from their school in Esu village in the Menchum division of the region. The attackers, in addition to the abduction, set fire to two classrooms and an administrative office within the school premises.
Expressing condemnation for the “continuous barbaric act perpetrated by armed terrorists on innocent unarmed citizens,” Aliou assured the public that investigations and operations are actively underway to track down and bring the criminals to justice in accordance with existing regulations.
It was reported that all students who sustained injuries during the attack are currently receiving medical treatment.
The affected region has been known for the presence of separatist fighters, who have been actively clashing with government forces since 2017.
These separatist groups, operating in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest, advocate for the creation of an independent nation. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the government in addressing the conflict and ensuring the safety of civilians, particularly students, in these troubled areas.
