The SDO had promised to accompany commercial motorbike riders in Kumba following their decision to shun ghost town calls after Ambazonia fighters allegedly killed one of their colleagues – Itoe Junior Itoe.

In a communiqué dated July 14, 2019, the Senior Administrative Officer informed all commercial bike riders that in accordance with the Kumba Bike Riders Association’s decision to stop ghost town in Kumba, five litres of fuel will be available to any bike rider who circulates this Monday, July 15, 2019.

Ntou’ou Ndong promised that each of the bike riders would also be given FCFA 3,000 from the state to assist in the burial of late Itoe Junior Itoe believed to have been murdered by armed men.  

As from 9:00am Monday morning, pockets of daredevil bike riders were spotted at the SDO’s office benefiting from the largess of the administration. The SDO’s promise had indeed been kept. There are however contestations as to whether or not the bikers are genuine.

But following threats from Ambazonia activists, some of the bike riders who had vowed to crumple the standing ghost town and bring it to an end apparently chickened out - the fuel collection scene was far from a crowded one.

Gunshots were reported in some parts of the city of Kumba, though we cannot independently say if the shootout was between security forces and amba fighters.

Last Saturday, July13, 2019, hundreds of bike riders flooded the streets of Kumba and vowed to end months of ghost town that came at the wake of the socio-political crisis in Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions.  They were received by Verkline Epolewane, Divisional Officer of Kumba III who listened to their worries and promised to channel same to hierarchy.

The DO said the bike riders own the town of Kumba and it is good a thing they have taken their city into their hands. She said the government will take care of the mortuary bills of their deceased colleague as well as facilitate the cost of the burial.

With peace plants in hand and chants of “no more ghost town and yes to school resumption”, the bikers said the pro-independence fighters have meted out so much pain on their colleagues, reason why they will no longer be swayed by the dictates of the armed men. Amba Boys are accused of killing a Kumba-based commercial bike rider, taking away his bike. Kumba bike riders had promised to bury their deceased colleague today, but it is not known if they will pull through with their plan.