Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    M*A*S*H actress Loretta Swit dies aged 87

    May 30, 2025

    Digital fortress: We go inside JB5, Teraco’s giant new AI-ready data centre

    May 30, 2025

    Bloody Civilian Channels Deep Emotion and Desire in New Single “Ladida”

    May 30, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Service
    • Advertisement
    Friday, May 30
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
    ABSA Africa TV
    • Breaking News
    • Africa News
    • World News
    • Editorial
    • Environ/Climate
    • More
      • Cameroon
      • Ambazonia
      • Politics
      • Culture
      • Travel
      • Sports
      • Technology
      • AfroSingles
    • Donate
    ABSLive
    ABSA Africa TV
    Home»Africa News»Surrender 1.9B CFA and Get Your D.O’: Pirates Tell Cameroon Gov’t
    Africa News

    Surrender 1.9B CFA and Get Your D.O’: Pirates Tell Cameroon Gov’t

    Ewang JohnsonBy Ewang JohnsonOctober 23, 2024Updated:October 24, 2024No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit
    Surrender 1.9B CFA and Get Your D.O’: Pirates Tell Cameroon Gov’t
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Copy Link

    BY Ewang Johnson. Oct. 23, 2024

    Bakassi, Ambazonia – In a daring and unsettling escalation of violence, alleged Nigerian pirates have delivered a bold ultimatum to the government of Cameroon, demanding a ransom of 1.9 billion CFA francs for the safe release of Ewane Roland, the Divisional Officer (D.O.) for Idabato, a locality in Ndian, Southern Zone of Ambazonia. The D.O., a senior government official, was abducted in late September in what many believe to be a premeditated act targeting state authority in this restive and volatile region.

    The abduction took place near the Bakassi Peninsula, a historically contentious area between Cameroon and Nigeria, now part of Ambazonia, which is seeking to break away from Cameroon’s central government. This latest incident throws another wrench into the already complex and fragile security situation in the region, where rebel factions, pirates, and militias operate with impunity.

    Shocking Demands

    In addition to the staggering financial demand of 1.9 billion CFA (approximately $3 million), the pirates issued an even more extensive list of conditions. They have demanded 10 high-capacity electric generators, 200 powered flying boats, and the release of several of their collaborators currently detained by the Cameroonian authorities. This brazen combination of ransom and logistical requests suggests that the pirates are not just interested in financial gain, but are preparing to further strengthen their operations and cement their hold over the area.

    The pirates, believed to be operating from Nigeria’s coastal regions, have long taken advantage of the lawlessness and fragmented security landscape between Cameroon and Nigeria. Their proximity to the Gulf of Guinea, an area notorious for piracy and smuggling, allows them to launch rapid, devastating attacks with ease, making the locality perilous not only for local officials but also for civilians and traders navigating the waterways.

    Cameroon in a Bind

    Cameroon’s government is now faced with a delicate situation. The kidnapping of a high-ranking official underscores the state’s dwindling control in a region already gripped by insurgency and separatist sentiment. The Southern Zone of Ambazonia, where this incident occurred, has been at the heart of a protracted conflict between Ambazonian independence fighters and Cameroon’s military forces. Ambazonia, formerly known as the British Southern Cameroons, declared its independence on October 1, 2017, in a move that was quickly quashed by Yaoundé, triggering years of bloodshed, displacement, and rebellion. Since then, the region has been a hotbed of violence, with armed separatist factions openly challenging the state’s authority.

    Now, the abduction of Ewane Roland sends a chilling message not only to Cameroon but to the wider international community that the instability in Ambazonia is far from over. Two weeks ago, Governor Bernard Okalia visited the locality of the abduction and threatened to shutdown life and business activities if the D.O. wasn’t returned forthwith.  Since then he has not followed it with any visible action. The Cameroonian government has not yet officially responded to the pirates’ demands, but analysts believe that any decision to pay the ransom could set a dangerous precedent, potentially emboldening more groups to resort to abductions and ransoms to achieve their aims.

    Meeting the logistical demands of 200 fly boats and 10 generators would not only strengthen the pirates’ capacity to terrorize the region but also leave the government in a compromised position, allowing the non-state actors to expand their reach even further into vulnerable coastal communities. Yet, failing to act could mean risking the life of a high-profile official, which could further destabilize the region and shake public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its officials and maintain authority.

    Strategic Implications

    What makes this situation particularly dangerous is the level of coordination it appears to involve. The inclusion of specific demands like the release of imprisoned collaborators signals that these pirates may be linked to wider networks operating between Nigeria and Cameroon, possibly tied to regional insurgencies or even militant factions in the Gulf of Guinea.

    Such a scenario is troubling, as it suggests that these pirates are more than mere opportunistic criminals—they are part of a broader effort to undermine Cameroonian state power in the region. With Ambazonia’s independence movement gaining international attention and Cameroon facing growing criticism for its heavy-handed approach to quelling separatist aspirations, the involvement of Nigerian pirates only further internationalizes an already complex conflict.

    What’s at Stake?

    For Ambazonia, this incident serves as yet another reminder of the perilous situation in which its people find themselves. With armed separatists clashing with government forces and external groups like Nigerian pirates exploiting the instability, the civilian population is caught in the crossfire. Humanitarian groups have already warned that the region is on the verge of a catastrophic crisis, with thousands of people displaced from their homes, schools and hospitals closed, and entire villages left vulnerable to attacks.

    Post Views: 171
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Ewang Johnson
    • Website

    Related Posts

    How May 20 Was Observed Across the Two Cameroons is Clearest Evidence of a Fractured Nation and a Failed Union.

    May 24, 2025

    From Thrones to Wrappers: Why Only Southern Cameroons Chiefs Are Treated like Footstools

    May 24, 2025

    When Corruption Meets Holiness: Paul Atanga Nji, the Pope, and the Unmistakable Optics of a Nation’s Rot

    May 21, 2025
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Top Posts

    Who is Duma Boko, Botswana’s new President?

    November 6, 2024

    As African Leaders Gather in Addis Ababa to Pick a New Chairperson, They are Reminded That it is Time For a Leadership That Represents True Pan-Africanism

    January 19, 2025

    BREAKING NEWS: Tapang Ivo Files Federal Lawsuit Against Nsahlai Law Firm for Defamation, Seeks $100K in Damages

    March 14, 2025

    Kamto Not Qualified for 2025 Presidential Elections on Technicality Reasons, Despite Declaration of Candidacy

    January 18, 2025
    Don't Miss

    M*A*S*H actress Loretta Swit dies aged 87

    By Olive MetugeMay 30, 2025

    Loretta Swit, who won two Emmy awards for her role on the popular comedy TV…

    Your Poster Your Poster

    Digital fortress: We go inside JB5, Teraco’s giant new AI-ready data centre

    May 30, 2025

    Bloody Civilian Channels Deep Emotion and Desire in New Single “Ladida”

    May 30, 2025

    Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif must undergo genetic sex screening to fight for new governing body

    May 30, 2025
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo

    Subscribe to Updates

    Sign up and get the latest breaking ABS Africa news before others get it.

    About Us
    About Us

    ABS TV, the first pan-African news channel broadcasting 24/7 from the diaspora, is a groundbreaking platform that bridges Africa with the rest of the world.

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Address: 9894 Bissonette St, Houston TX. USA, 77036
    Contact: +1346-504-3666

    Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest YouTube WhatsApp
    Our Picks

    M*A*S*H actress Loretta Swit dies aged 87

    May 30, 2025

    Digital fortress: We go inside JB5, Teraco’s giant new AI-ready data centre

    May 30, 2025

    Bloody Civilian Channels Deep Emotion and Desire in New Single “Ladida”

    May 30, 2025
    Most Popular

    M*A*S*H actress Loretta Swit dies aged 87

    May 30, 2025

    Did Paul Biya Actually Return to Cameroon on Monday? The Suspicion Behind the Footage

    October 23, 2024

    Surrender 1.9B CFA and Get Your D.O’: Pirates Tell Cameroon Gov’t

    October 23, 2024
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Service
    © 2025 Absa Africa TV. All right reserved by absafricatv.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.