Addressing the population at the Alou Market on Friday, February 19, 2021, soldiers called on those who fled the insecurity in the area to start preparing themselves to return home.

The security forces called on the population to ignore the bluff from separatist fighters and go about their business without fear.

The reassurance from the security forces follows the killing of three traditional rulers in Essoh-Attah by armed separatists fighting to transform Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions into a country called Ambazonia.

According to the people of Lebialem Division, notorious separatist fighter Oliver Lekeaka alias Field Marshal, following instructions from his elder brother, Chris Anu, killed Chiefs Fualasoeh Peter, Formin Benedict, and Simon Forzi on the night of February 13, 2021.

With threats of further attacks from separatists, the military says normalcy will be restored in the days ahead.

“It’s all empty talk. The reality is that when you [go about your activities] as you are doing now, nothing can happen to you. He [Oliver Lekeaka alias Field Marshal] cannot come around and do something. He cannot come and beat you in your houses. He has nothing now,” a soldier told a crowd at the Alou Market.

The soldier of Cameroon’s army insisted that, “Things will soon return to normal in Lebialem Division. In the entire Lebialem, everything will be normal again. It is just a question of time. In a little while, everything will be normal.”

With plans afoot to capture the separatists in Lebialem Division or cause them to surrender, security forces say Internally Displaced Persons should be preparing to come back home.

“Inform all those who are in Dschang and in other places. Tell them to come back to their villages. Tell them to return to their businesses. Tell them to come back, open their shops, and resume normal activities. They should come along with all their belongings. Schools will resume everywhere in Lebialem. Start now to prepare the school fees for your children so they can come back to the village and resume school. Now is the time, not tomorrow,” the head of the military squad said.

The soldier was thankful that the population had paused their buying and selling for a few minutes to listen to his message.

“I just want to thank you all. Let me not take much of your time. I just want to let you know that from time to time, you will see military vehicles passing. Have no fear. We are only passing. We are here to protect you,” he concluded.

On March 17, 2018, armed separatists kidnapped Professor Ivo Leke Tambo, marking the beginning of tortuous days for the people of Lebialem Division. The armed separatists commanded by Oliver Lekeaka alias Field Marshal operate under a group christened “Red Dragons”.

On September 26, 2019, videos and pictures of Lekeaka coming out of the sacred forest of the Essoh-Attah Palace with population bowing to him, visibly under duress, were recorded. He declared himself “King of Lebialem”.