By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – Ntumbaw village in Ndu Municipality was plunged into mourning on the night of Sunday, February 8, 2026, following a deadly attack by armed bandits that claimed the lives of four residents and left several others seriously wounded.
The assailants are reported to have struck late in the evening, targeting a particular family in the community. The family raised an alarm, which quickly mobilised neighbours and residents. In a spontaneous show of solidarity, the population responded en masse and reportedly came close to overpowering the attackers. However, the armed men opened fire on civilians in a desperate attempt to escape, leading to multiple casualties.
The brutal incident has once again highlighted the deteriorating security situation in parts of Ndu Municipality, which has in recent months witnessed a surge in killings, looting, and aggravated armed robbery.
Condemning the attack in strong terms, the Mayor of Ndu, Abdou Kanfon Borno, described the assault as “barbaric” and extended condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He confirmed that forensic investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify the perpetrators.
“The four persons who lost their lives in Ntumbaw while defending one of their own are martyrs for peace and security,” the mayor said. “Terrorists and armed bandits may kill the body, but they will never break our spirit or our resolve as a community to restore the values of human dignity.”
The mayor saluted the courage, bravery, and community solidarity displayed by the people of Ntumbaw and called on all communities across Ndu Municipality to work closely with administrative authorities to build a collective security mechanism. He stressed that a community self-defence strategy, implemented strictly within the confines of the law, has become an urgent necessity.
Mayor Kanfon Borno also decried the actions of what he described as “misguided individuals” and criminal syndicates who are exploiting the fragile security situation to illegally enrich themselves at the expense of human lives. He warned that such groups, including non-state armed actors operating for economic gain, are “on the wrong side of history.”
“Time is not on their side,” he said. “The people of goodwill shall always have the final say… Life has always been a struggle between good and evil. Even when evil appears to have the upper hand, good will always prevail.”
The attack has renewed calls for urgent and coordinated security measures to stem the tide of violence threatening lives and livelihoods in Ndu Municipality.
