Seven kidnapped by suspected separatist fighters in west Cameroon

Yaounde: Seven people were kidnapped by suspected separatist fighters in Cameroon's West region, residents and security sources said Monday.

The abduction took place Sunday night in Bangourain, a locality in the Noun division of the West region, when armed men stormed a family compound.

"Those who were kidnapped are members of the same family," a security source in the region told Xinhua by telephone. "The separatist terrorists invaded their compound while they were asleep and took them away at gunpoint. We have launched a manhunt to rescue the hostages and capture the terrorists."

Armed separatists are enforcing a weeklong lockdown in Cameroon's conflict-hit English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, leading to renewed clashes, residents and security sources said last week.

Separatist leaders announced on social media that the lockdown, which began Septmber 7, aims to disrupt the start of the new school year, Xinhua News Agency reported.

In Bamenda, the capital of the Northwest Region, residents described a tense atmosphere, with schools closed and movement severely restricted.

"We heard gunshots. People are really afraid. The streets are deserted. Shops are closed, and almost all activities have stopped," a resident, who requested anonymity, told Xinhua by phone.

In a video posted online, armed separatist fighters threatened to "kill anyone who attempts to step out" during the lockdown period.

Security officials said additional troops had been deployed to both regions to conduct day and night patrols. Last week regional authorities assured residents that security had been tightened and urged them to continue their daily activities.

The Northwest and Southwest regions have seen armed conflict since 2017, when separatists began fighting government forces to establish an independent state.

In July, seven passengers were kidnapped in Cameroon's Northwest region.

The passengers were travelling from the town of Bafoussam, the capital of the West region, to Bamenda, the capital of the Northwest, when armed men intercepted their vehicle.

Family members told local media the abductors are demanding a ransom for their release.

Ransom kidnappings are common in the English-speaking Northwest, where separatists have clashed with government forces in a push for independence.

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