During a visit to provide succour to the girls Thursday, Atanga Nji said the victims who are between the ages of 15 and 21were rescued by the military from an Amba camp in the interior of Mbiame, Bui Division, North West Region.

The rescue operation was carried out in a locality called Lib in Mbiame not far away from Magba subdivision in the West region.

The separatist fighters had transformed some of the victims into sex slaves while at the same time threatening to kill them if their relatives did not pay a ransom, Minister Atanga Nji told the press during Thursday’s visit to the West Region. He went on to salute the bravery and professionalism of the military which is working day and night to fight the armed separatists.

Hear Atanga Nji: “So you can look at what is happening in the bushes. Look at the torture given to our children by the terrorists. Look at the magnitude of violence. We cannot accept things like this. So, the defense forces are here to protect the local population against atrocities like this and we expect the NGOs to denounce these terrorist activities. But because they have received money, they don’t want to talk.”

After instructing that the girls be given medical and psychological care, Atanga Nji said a special support package will be given to the victims within the framework of the emergency humanitarian assistance plan for victims of the socio-political upheavals in the North West and South West Regions.

Atanga Nji extended the encouragement of the Head of State, President Paul Biya, to the military for what he said was a noble mission to defend the territorial integrity of the state. He said President Biya remains determined to ensure persons and property are secured from such attacks.

The Minister later on toured the scene of recent attacks in Galim, Bamboutous Division, West region. Minister Atanga Nji visited the Gendarmerie brigade and the public security police post of Galim that suffered an attack from armed separatist fighters from the restive North West region.

On Saturday 7th breaking Sunday 8th March 2020, terrorists attacked a Police Station and a Gendarmerie Brigade in Galim, Bamboutos Division, West Region, killing two policemen, two female gendarmes and four civilians, he said. He extended condolences to families of those who died in the gun attacks.

He later held a meeting with local administrative and security officials streamlining actions to prevent such an incident from reoccurring. The Minister later discussed with the local vigilante groups and offered FCFA 600,000 to strengthen their activities.

Minister Atanga Nji left the West region declaring to the population that the situation was under control. He urged the people to work closely with security forces and share vital information to ease security operations.