Five people were killed – including a traditional leader – and scores are missing after members of the Ambazonian military from Cameroon attacked the village of Taraba State in northeast Nigeria.
The attack took place on Wednesday, November 17, in Manga village in the Takum Local Government Area.
Muhammad Ali Umar, a resident of Manga, whose brother was killed in the attack, told RNI that the Ambazonain soldiers from Cameroon had raided the village early on Wednesday.
Many people were missing. Residents said some could have fallen into the river while fleeing and others might be hiding in the mountains. Still others might have escaped to other towns and villages.
Shiban Tikari, the chairman of the Takum Local Government, condemned the attack. He confirmed that one of those killed was a local chief.
He told the Nigerian Tribune that five bodies had been recovered at the scene and that others were being sought in nearby bushes.
The Ambazonian separatists had first attacked a border community in Cameroon before crossing over to Nigeria.
He told Sahara Reporters that soldiers, police and other security operatives had been deployed to the village. “We are hoping that those that fled will return because we are still on the look out.”
Emmanuel Bwacha, a senator representing Taraba South, told Sahara Reporters that although he did not know the separatists’ motive, he had raised the alarm that Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty might be under threat.
Residents of Manga said the village needed urgent assistance from military and security forces.
Cho Ayaba, the leader of the Cameroonian separatist group, the Ambazonian Governing Council, told Sahara Reporters that his group was not involved in the attack on Manga village.
Ambazonia, officially the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, also referred to as Amba Land, is a self-declared state in West Africa in the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon.
No country has formally recognised its independence. Armed Ambazonian separatists and the Cameroonian military have been in conflict for some time.
