In a letter addressed to all men and women of good will in the Diocese of Kumbo, the Bishop writes that they are reliably informed about the events that led to the deaths in Ngarbuh last Friday. His account contained in the pastoral letter is in sharp contrast to the official government position.

Bishop Nkuo writes: “We have been reliably informed about a very sad incident, which took place on the 14^th of February in the village of Ngarbuh-Ntumbaw in Saint Martin de Porres Parish Ndu. On Friday 14^th February 2020, the military invaded Ngarbuh at 4 a.m. and we are told that twenty-four (24) people were killed among whom were pregnant women and little children. Some of the victims were burnt alive and several others wounded. A total of nine (9) houses were burnt down. Hundreds of people from Ngarbuh are currently displaced and seeking for refuge in nearby villages under deplorable human conditions.

“While further investigations are going on about the perpetrators of this ruthless massacre, it is incumbent on us Christians not only to locally condemn these atrocities, but also to immediately reach out to help the new victims find support and livelihood among us.

“As usual, CARITAS is doing its best already to reach out with help to these grief-stricken and traumatized victims. I therefore invite all of you to a day of prayer for the deceased and suffering members of this tragic incident.

“I hereby declare Friday 21^st February 2020 as a Day of Prayer and Mourning in the entire Diocese of Kumbo for the victims of the Ngarbuh Disaster. In this way, we shall vehemently say, “Yes to Life and No to death” in solidarity with the recent message of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon in which the bishops declared:

“In view of this agonizing and tragic situation, we Bishops of Cameroon, deem it necessary to organize a day of prayer throughout the nation for the respect of life and the promotion of the sacredness of human life. “You shall not kill” Mt. 5:21. This day shall give all the faithful and all men and women of good will the opportunity to launch a vast movement of solidarity and support for the culture of life in favour of the civilization of love against the culture of death.”

“I am once more calling on all the priests, religious, the faithful and men and women of good will in the Diocese of Kumbo to keep this Friday, 21^st February 2020, as a Day of Prayer and mourning especially for our brothers and sisters who were brutally killed, wounded and rendered homeless at Ngarbuh.

“As is the tradition, a Requiem Mass should be celebrated in all our churches and where possible, an Ecumenical Service be organized to implore God for an end to this socio-political crisis that has plunged us into a senseless and painful war. I count on your full collaboration for the success of this day of prayer.”

Government says seven separatists, five civilians died in Ngarbuh

The army spokesman Colonel Cyrille Atonfack Guemo, Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo and Communication Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi have each taken turns to clarify that the civilian deaths in Ngarbuh were the result of an “unfortunate accident” which happened when fuel exploded in an exchange of gunfire with separatists in the area. Their accounts put the death toll at twelve – seven separatist fighters and five civilians.

They state that defense and security forces indeed carried out a “reconnaissance operation” in the area in a bid to dislodge a “separatist arms and logistics base”.  They clarify public opinion that in an attack that ensued, “seven terrorists and bandits” were killed.

“During the clashes, a fire broke out in the terrorists’ fortification in the same house, causing explosions, before spreading to neighboring houses. This fire reportedly claimed the lives of five persons – a woman and four children – far from the massacre relayed on social media,” Defense Minister Beti Assomo Joseph said in a press release February 17, 2020, a version corroborated by Communication Minister Rene Sadi Tuesday.