Mayor Condemns Attack in Tubah, Urges Unity Ahead of 20th May National Holiday

"The attackers did not come from Tubah; their language indicated origins from other villages," Mayor Tanjong stated, highlighting the external origins of the assailants.

The attack, which occurred around 8 PM near CHS Bambui in Tubah Subdivision, resulted in the deaths of two government soldiers, a bar owner, and an innocent woman. The soldiers, dressed in civilian attire, were reportedly unwinding at a local bar. As they prepared to leave, the bar owner offered them a ride on his motorbike. It was then that the gunmen, believed to be separatists, confronted and fatally shot them. A stray bullet also struck a woman and her daughter, who were near a junction conducting a mobile money transaction. The woman died instantly, while her daughter remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Mayor Tanjong emphasized the necessity for collective responsibility within the community to prevent such atrocities. "We must acknowledge our own shortcomings in Tubah for unintentionally allowing such acts to occur within our borders," he urged, calling for a spirit of cooperation and vigilance among residents.

The mayor's plea comes amidst a climate of grief and shock in Tubah. "This is heartbreaking for us in Tubah. Every time our citizens engage in business or agricultural activities, they face the threat of violence, putting their lives in danger," he lamented.

Despite the somber atmosphere, preparations for the national holiday celebrations on May 20 continue, although overshadowed by fear. In Bamenda, the regional headquarters of the Northwest and located a few kilometers from Bambui, military and police personnel are rehearsing for the festivities. However, there are concerns that separatists' calls for a boycott and "ghost town" operations might disrupt the celebrations in remote areas of the region. Previous celebrations have been marred by ghost towns and violence in parts of the region, which has been reeling from the armed conflict since 2017.

Mayor Tanjong expressed confidence in the resilience of Tubah's inhabitants amidst the ongoing armed conflict, urging them to prioritize unity and harmony. "No bloodshed should stain our municipality. We must unite against violence and unequivocally condemn those who perpetrate such acts," Tanjong affirmed.

The Anglophone crisis, which began in 2017, continues to take a heavy toll on civilians, with more than 6,000 lives lost over the nearly eight years of conflict. The community of Tubah is now grappling with the latest act of violence, while efforts to ensure peace and security continue.

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