Homeless Baworos Decry Insecurity At Borders

North West governor appeased displaced victims during a visit to Menchum on April 7.

"Keep peace with neighbouring villages and country. Keep peace with respective religious obediences. Keep peace with respective political parties." That was the message which North West governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, took to victims of border insecurity in Baworo, Menchum Valley Sub-division on April 7, 2014.

In effect, the governor came face to face with fleeing inhabitants of the Cameroonian villages of Badu, Bajini, Ukenake, Ifung and Ambo crying for help following what they said is armed aggression and destruction of their property by grazers from a neighbouring country. They displayed placards, some of which read, "We are homeless and hungry ", " We cannot farm", " Our children cannot go to school", "The government should put an end to insecurity in the Baworo area".

It was against this backdrop that Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique took time off his economic tour of Baworo to chair an on-the-spot security meeting to handle the situation. He urged the displaced people to stay peaceful and hopeful while the government identifies all the displaced persons for assistance.

On his part, the Mayor of Benakuma council which covers Menchum Valley Sub-division , Num Elias Ihimbru, since November 2013, the border area has not known peace, with armed grazers from their neighbouring country leading to the destruction of the villages of Badu, Bajini, Ukenake, Ifung and Ambo. The situation, according to Num Elias Ihimbru, has caused deaths and the displacement of some 3000 people while cattle has destroyed farms, drinking water sources polluted, schools closed and markets burnt.