In recent years, Cameroon has been rocked by the abduction phenomenon in the Far North and East Regions. The Kidnapping of Rev. Father Georges, a Roman Catholic priest and the Moulin-Fournier family in 2013. The hostage crisis that did involve a group of Chinese workers and the atrocities committed by rebels from the Central African Republic- holding the mayor of Lagdo and 14 others for 13 months are all issues posing security challenges to a nation that has been misruled for the last 34 years.

During a ceremony that held on Sunday, August 14, 2016 in the city of Lagdo to welcome the mayor and 11 of his companions who spent more than a year in captivity in the Central African Republic, the Governor of the North Region, Jean Edi’i Abate, announced the deployment of Cameroon Special Forces in the region.

Cameroon Intelligence Report correspondent in Garoua quoted the governor as saying “The Head of State has decided to deploy in the Departments of Mayo-Rey and Benue, a new anti-terror special force. We will eradicate all hostage and ransom phenomenon in our region. We will be bold on that. People should not be surprised to see in the coming days combat helicopters flying over the area. This is to enhance the security of goods and people. We will track these criminals right to their hiding places.”

Governor Jean Abate Edi’i did not stop there “Those who chose to make a fortune in promoting acts of insecurity, including kidnappings, your days are numbered.” warned the governor.  Cameroon Special Forces currently operating in the Far North region have expertise in the areas of infiltration, deep operations, intelligence and reconnaissance.

By Ebong Kingsley