Nigerian Police arrest 6 Cameroon’s Ambazonian separatists

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested six individuals suspected to be Ambazonian separatists following their infiltration into Akamkpa Local Government Area.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ewa Igri, confirmed the arrest to journalists in Calabar on Saturday, describing it as a significant breakthrough for law enforcement.

Ambazonia, a self-declared political entity, has been at the center of the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon.

Since 2017, separatists seeking independence for the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon have clashed with the Cameroonian military, while some factions have formed governments-in-exile and militias controlling parts of the contested territory.

According to Igri, the suspects, aged between 18 and 36, were apprehended following intelligence reports. “The separatists were arrested following an intelligence tip-off,” he said.

READ ALSO :Cameroon’s presidency : Again, Paul Biya to seek re-election at 93

He disclosed that several weapons, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), boots, charms, flags, and firearms, were found in the possession of the suspects.

“On Oct. 10, through a tip-off and based on the confessions of three suspects, three additional individuals were apprehended,” Igri stated.

Among the items recovered were a GPMG machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, several empty magazines, bulletproof gear, and a stamp bearing the insignia of the Ambazonian army.

Igri added that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and prosecution.

The police spokesman assured that the command is committed to maintaining peace and security across the state.