Locals march to free Tumi, Fon Mbinglo, others Archives
Locals from all the villages in Nso, as well as Christians of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kumbo, were on their way to Baba in Babessi, where Cardinal Tumi and Fon Mbinglo are believed to be held in captivity. But before they could get there, Cardinal Tumi had been freed after over 12 hours in captivity.
As early as 6:00 am this Friday, November 6, 2020, church bells rang, mobilizing faithful to go in search of the Cardinal. The traditional drums were also beaten from the heart of the Nso palace for the people to go in search of the Fon.
Armed separatists kidnapped 90-year-old Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi, Archbishop Emeritus of Douala, and Fon Sehm Mbinglo II, the traditional ruler of Nso at about 6:30 pm on Thursday, November 5, 2020.
Gunmen in Baba, Babessi subdivision, Ngoketunji Division of Cameroon’s North West region, kidnapped the duo along with 11 others.
Other sources say Cardinal Tumi and Fon Mbinglo were kidnaped at a place called Cane Chair, in Baba, along the Bamenda-Kumbo road along with the Queen mother and some Nso notables.
Cardinal Tumi was accompanying Fon Sehm Mbinglo back to Nso two years after he was airlifted from his palace for medical reasons.
U.S.-based Cameroonian separatist Eric Tataw confirmed the attack, adding that armed separatists in the area carried it out.
Hear Tataw: “A convoy ferrying the Paramount ruler of Nso, Fon Mbinglo II from Bamenda, headquarters of Cameroon’s North West to the town of Kumbo in the same region has been intercepted at Baba, another North West locale, Thursday, November 5, 2020.
“The ruler was meant to return home, Thursday after several months of absence triggered by the Anglophone crisis but was intercepted by separatist fighters.”
Population seek to liberate Tumi and Fon Mbinglo (c) Rights reserved
On Friday morning, Tataw said Samuel Ikome Sako, a U.S.-based Cameroonian separatist, president of the Ambazonia interim government, had ordered the kidnapping.
Ambazonia is a geographical allusion to Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions.
“Kidnapping Cardinal Tumi is the highest betrayal to Ambazonia & our unparalleled Independence agenda,” said Tataw. “I can now authoritatively confirm the embezzlement kingpin, Sako’s gang is responsible. If by the end of the day the Cardinal & Fon aren’t released, I’ll be in Sako’s house. You can't order the kidnapping of these old men. It's unacceptable!”
A rebel known by the name ‘General’ Shao Mao is said to have led the separatist gang that kidnapped Cardinal Tumi, Fon Mbinglo and co.
While Tumi was taken to one location, the Fon and others were taken to another. soldiers and the population could be seen with Cardinal Tumi as they wait for news of the Fon of Nso and his aides.
Fon Mbinglo was airlifted from his palace by the military on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, for medical attention amidst fears his health was failing following untold atrocities committed by armed rebels fighting to create a putative state called Ambazonia. Gunmen had killed two of his sons as violence soared in the area.
Last month, the people of Nso in Bui Division of Cameroon’s North West Region joined the secret society, ‘Nwerong’ to cleanse the land as they awaited the return of their Fon.
Days later, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kumbo, Mgr. George Nkuo called on belligerents in the 3-year armed conflict in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions to drop their weapons and embrace peace.
The prelate spoke at the Kumbo Cathedral Tuesday, October 20, 2020, after leading a thick crowd of Christians through the streets of the war-torn town in a march for peace ahead of the return of the Fon of Nso.
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