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Ngoketunjia : civilians detained amid gendarme kidnap incident

The detention follows the June 24 kidnapping of 14 people, including a gendarme officer, by people suspected to be an armed separatist group.

Dozens of civilians have been detained following last June 24 kidnapping of 14 people including a gendarme officer by suspected separatist fighters in the Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region. The detainees include two mothers caring for infants aged two and three months. While the babies are not formally detained, their mothers remain in custody, with authorities accusing families of using the infants to pressure for concessions.

While most hostages were freed after ransom payments, the gendarme remains captive. In response, local officials reportedly led the Senior Divisional Officer of Ngoketunjia Handerson Quetong Kongeh, ordered the detention of individuals allegedly linked to the separatists. Among those held are elderly women and young mothers, including a 68-year-old woman and two 22-year-old mothers with their infants.

Officials claim the families are exploiting the presence of the babies to sway authorities, though human rights groups condemn the detentions as unlawful and inhumane. A regional administrator acknowledged the arrest of one man accused of crimes including robbery and illegal taxation but has not commented on the broader detentions. Reports suggest officials have threatened harsher measures if the gendarme is not released.

Security forces in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions have frequently detained relatives of suspected separatists, alleging complicity in armed activities. Past cases include prolonged detentions of family members, some of whom were later released without charge. Meanwhile, separatist groups have also targeted civilians accused of collaborating with government forces, leading to a cycle of retaliation.

International rights organizations have documented abuses by both sides, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region. Rights advocates stress that holding civilians especially nursing mothers without evidence violates legal standards. They urge authorities to release detainees not directly tied to crimes, emphasizing that collective punishment exacerbates tensions.

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