Mamfe Gendarmerie Barracks Attack: Defence Forces Shoot Dead Five Terrorists

Following is the statement of the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary on December 8, 2017 after the attack on the Mamfe gendarmerie barracks.

«Drawing all the consequences of the resurgence of terrorist attacks perpetrated for several months in the North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, returning from an official visit abroad on 30 November 2017, resolved to restore peace and serenity in the Regions concerned.

On this occasion, the Head of State asserted and I quote: «I think that things are now perfectly clear for everyone: Cameroon is suffering repeated attacks from terrorist gangs claiming to belong to a secessionist movement.

Faced with such acts of aggression, I wish to reassure the Cameroonian people that all measures are being taken to boot out the criminals and to ensure that peace and security are preserved throughout the national territory», end of quote.

Following this commitment by the President of the Republic, convincing results have been recorded in the field of operations.

Over ten young people traveling to Nigeria to be enrolled by terrorist gangs were arrested in the AGBORKOR village, near the border.
Shortly after, an individual named AYUK NKEN Franklin, recruiting agent for the armed wing of the secessionists was arrested in the locality of Bachuo Akagde near Mamfe.

On December 5, 2017, the elements of the 22nd Motorized Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces based in Nsanakang, Mamfe, pussed back an attack on the Battalion post led by some 20 heavily armed assailants who had come on board of motorized canoes.

In their retaliation, elements of the Defense Forces neutralized several assailants and bewildered the rest of the band.

On the night of December 5 to 6, 2017, three individuals who had attempted to assassinate gendarmes on duty at the weighing station of Bombé-Bakundu near the town of Kumba, were arrested as they tried to flee when faced with the response of Defense Forces.

On 7 November 2017, the perpetrators of the assassination of soldier YAYA Emmanuel who was cruelly slaughtered by a squad of terrorists on the night of 9 to 10 November 2017 while he was guarding a bridge connecting Cameroon to neighbouring Nigeria at Akwem near the town of Mamfe, were apprehended, arrested and their weapons – weapons of war – seized.

On the night of 7 to 8 December 2017, five terrorists were shot dead by the Defense Forces who retaliated to an attack led by nearly 200 attackers against the Mamfe gendarmerie barracks.

The terrorists killed on this occasion are: TAKO Prosper ARREY, ANYONG Patrick ABONG, DISENGI Kendry. The two other attackers who were killed are yet to be identified.

Unfortunately, one element of the Defense Forces, gendarme  KELLY Hervé on duty at the Mamfe Gendarmerie Territorial Brigade was killed during the clashes.

Ten other elements of the Defense Forces were wounded in the clashes. These are: Lieutenant CHAIBOU, Lance Corporal EDENGUE EKASSI; Gendarmes-majors MOULIOM MANONI, BIWOLE BIWOLE, MOHAMIDI Armand and KOUG René Serge; Gendarmes MPENG Harris and MOTCHAM Arnaud; Élèves-gendarmes TSAGNI SIGNING and NTCHAN KOUNI Louis.

The Head of State hereby addresses his most heartfelt condolences to the family of Constable KELLY Hervé who fell on the field of honor, and most intimately shares the pain they are feeling at this very sad moment.

To the members...