Armed men have stormed a prison facility in Cameroon’s north-west region setting it ablaze.
The attack on the Ndop prison has led to the escape of over 160 inmates.
State media, CRTV reports that the attack happened overnight amid gunfire.
It is not clear who are behind the attack, but local media reports it could be elements linked to the ongoing separatist movement in Cameroon.
Africanews quotes a source close to the regional authorities as saying that “More than 160 prisoners from Ndop prison (North West) fled”.
There are reports of some of the prisoners who escaped returning voluntarily.
Prison break in Ndop, Ngohketunjia Division North West Region;
Several inmates have escaped and the detention centre set ablaze. pic.twitter.com/CcotjRcUdj— Mimi237 (@Mimimefo237) July 29, 2018
William Benedict Emvoutu Mbita, head of the department of Ngoketunjia where Ndop is located confirmed is reported by Africanews as saying that the attackers “fired from everywhere” breaking “the gates of the prison” before “setting fire to all the buildings”.
Cameroon officials have launched a search for the prisoners who have escaped.
Crisis in Cameroon
The northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are prone to violence.
English-speaking separatists who are fighting for greater autonomy continue to clash with government forces.
There is resentment among anglophones, who make up about a fifth of Cameroon’s population of 22 million.
The Anglophones in Cameroon claim they are being marginalized and subjected to the rules favourable to the French-speaking majority.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank says at least 120 civilians and 43 security forces have been killed since the end of 2016.
The UN says 160,000 people have been internally displaced and 20 000 sought refuge in neighboring Nigeria.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
