Kumba:Police in manhunt of three suspected SCNC activists

By Abendong P. Hertz in Kumba  

Reports in Kumba, chief town of Meme division say three brothers whose name we got as Tchamon Thomas Encho,  Encho Ngemou Mathias and Tagi Emmanuel Encho are  seriously being wanted by security operatives in the South West Region - Cameroon, The Cameroon Watch has learnt.

Mathias

These brothers, alongside other diehard activists of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC), are said to be on the run after they were hinted a security swoop on them in the City of Kumba was imminent.

The SCNC activists, we gathered were finalizing plans to stage a protest march to press for the release of one of theirs, Oben Maxwell Eyong, Yaounde coordinator of SCNC who has been in pre-trail detention at the Buea Central Prison for over 30 months without hearing, this reporter gathered.

A dependable source within the SCNC movement in Kumba, who spoke to this reporter on condition that he would not be named, said it was in early March 2016 when the escapee activists intensified plans to stage a public demonstration on the streets of Buea. 

Quoting one of the escapee activists, the source noted that it was a concerned security officer, understanding that they (SCNC activists) are fighting for a legitimate cause, who leaked the information of the activists’ impending arrest.

Emmanuel

The ultimate search for the Encho’s brothers for subsequent unlawful arrest is being perpetuated by top government officials of the 34-year-old Biya regime and the local police officers are merely executing instructions from hierarchy, investigations have shown.

Thomas

Family source told this reporter that the Encho’s remaining siblings, friends and relatives have been so psychologically traumatized ever since their disappearance, supposedly in April 2013 when he was last seen.

As at now, the whereabouts of  the Encho’s, 34,28, and 27 years respectively  remain unknown and all efforts made at getting to them for comments were futile.

It should be noted that SCNC is a movement that seeks the sovereignty of Southern Cameroons from La Republique du Cameroun. And over the years, many SCNC activists have suffered undue arrest, torture and imprisonment, for a fight against assimilation.
  
Case which orchestrated escape

Oben Maxwell, for whom SCNC comrades in Kumba were planning a strike for his liberation, has been in custody for over 30 months, whereas the law stipulates that such custody should not exceed six months.

This reporter learnt that when Oben’s case last came up for hearing, the court did not as much as sign any warrant to bring him up. 

The consequence is that the SCNC leader is yet to be aware of when next the case will come up, a jurist explained, suggesting that the his case like many others may have lapsed from the current cause lists.

It should be recalled the Encho brothers are equally facing challenge from their village after the death of their father pa Eyo Encho Ailfred who died after a poltracted illness.

Before his death reports say he was suffering from a terminal disease allegedly inflicted to him by members of a secret cults in his native village of Ambelle known as Akomanlankumbe were he use to belong.

After his burial on February 11, 2012 the cuts members said one of his sons must be initiated to replace the father’s position in the cults. Their continuous denied has coursed them the death of their uncle pa Sema Tagi Encho and his only surviving son live.

 The recent happening which has taking center stage in the village has even course some men for are running for their lives as women. The Echo’s lives will be in great danger should they be allow to set foot back in Cameroon reason why they are seeking foreign protection for fear of eventual death.