In less than a week, the region has experienced three major attacks: a bar shot up in Bamenda with 3 dead, 5 teachers kidnapped then released in Wum, and seven members of the same family kidnapped in Bangourain.
Several extremely violent incidents sometimes present a grim picture of the security situation at the start of this school year, leading to talk of a school reopening under the sign of terror. Since September 8, it has been a series of deaths and kidnappings. The most recent incident dates from Monday, September 14, 2026, around 3 p.m. According to Radio-Presse communiqué No. 08 from the Mezam prefect, Simon Emile Mooh, an incursion by armed terrorists targeted a drinking establishment “BACK PMI” in the Beyelle/Nkwen neighborhood, Bamenda III district, Northwest region.
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The toll of this attack is three dead and four injured civilians. The deceased victims are Emile Bana (27 years old), Fabrice Verla (23 years old), and Albertine Bommuy (20 years old). Their bodies were taken to the morgue of the Bamenda Regional Hospital. The injured, Sanyuy Betmua (31 years old), Paul Foven (38 years old), Dilan Lukong (28 years old), and Adamu (39 years old) were evacuated to the same hospital after first aid. The prefect “strongly condemns these atrocities committed against defenseless people” and assures that instructions have been given to track down the perpetrators.
A week earlier, it was the educational world that was struck. On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, around 11 a.m., the convoy of the Menchum prefect, who was conducting his 2026-2027 school year tour, was attacked near the ENIEG of Wum. Divisional Commissioner Mbah Tobie Damase was killed instantly as he approached the establishment.
In the aftermath, five teachers were kidnapped. Then, 48 hours later, all five were freed. The bilingual daily Cameroon Tribune mentions a BIR operation in the village of Isu, while a local NGO speaks of a ransom release of 3500 dollars each.
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The wave of kidnappings continues
The weekend of September 13-14 was marked by other kidnappings: Sunday evening, September 13, in Ngwenfon in Bangourain (Noun, West region), seven members of the same family were kidnapped by individuals recognized as Ambazonian assailants. Among them: Amza, Nah Karimou and his father Chouaïbou, and Amidou Pépé’s pregnant wife.
Tuesday, September 15, late afternoon in Bamenda, Mile 3, Guinness crossroads, armed men abducted a civilian in a targeted manner, causing a panic movement up to Foncha and Mile 4.
These attacks occur during a “lockdown” decreed by some separatist groups to prevent the school reopening, a recurring practice since 2016 that exacts a heavy toll on education in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
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