Armed bandits from Cameroon invades Cross River community, many injured

Suspected armed Ambazonian militants in Cameroon have reportedly held captive Belegete Community in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, leaving many injured.

Belegete community is a border village between Nigeria and Cameroon around the fringes of the Obanliku plateau. The community has no access road or outlet to communicate with the headquarters in an emergency situation.

A source told newsmen that the armed bandits held the community hostage for over 24 hours without any security intervention.

“The community has been under siege since yesterday 5th December 2023, the armed Ambazonian militant (bandits) sacked the Belegete community with Arms, shooting sporadically, beating, and cutting some with cutlasses leaving many wounded and some escaped the attack including men, women, and children at large; the situation now is alarming.

“When we heard the report that Ambazonian militia invaded the community we reported to the relevant authorities to come to our aid, while the state Security adviser called the Army Commander to go for the rescued of Nigerian citizens, the soldiers went up to the Ranch, but due to lack of access road, all the armies return to their Barracks, reporting that the Local Government Head of Administration (HOLGA) did not provide logistics for them to go.

“While our community has been captured by Ambazonian militia, we are still appealing to the security agencies to recalibrate and mitigate the unbearable situation in our community,” the source told newsmen.

Gory pictures show victims sustaining high degree of injuries while attempting to escape the siege.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)