Cameroon and Nigeria are in collaboration to secure release of the abducted Divisional Officer (D.O) of Idabato. The Nigerian Consul, Taofik Obasanjo, October 15 was at the South West Governor’s Office.

Governor Okalia Bilai received the Nigerian diplomat, with whom both parties and their associates shared forty minutes of interaction on the issue. Commenting to pressmen shortly after the meeting with stakes for both countries, Taofik Obasanjo assured continued efforts from Nigeria.

‘We will continue collaborating about the issue. And we’ve asked the governor, if he has any information he should let us know. We hope that it is successful’, the Consul said as he got on ride off the premises.

Kidnap and government response

Gunmen suspected to be members of Dragon Marine Fighters, a Nigerian separatist group operating in Idabato, invaded the residences of the D.O for Idabato, Ndian Division – Ewane Roland making away with him and the Municipal Council’s store accountant, Etongo Ismaiel.

The act by 2 am on
October 1 stimulated a sea patrol which yielded no fruits according to administrative reports. The kidnappers are said to have headed the men to Nigeria. It is still unclear their exact location, but seen as an act to punish the Cameroon authorities for collecting taxes from the more Nigerian populated area,the government said.

South West Governor gave an ultimatum of 72 hours on October 8, for the release which came along with prohibiting movement and business in Idabato.

However CNA sources in Idabato confirmed that a separatist group has claimed to know the kidnappers, attributing to the Dragon fighters.

Source: Cameroon News Agency