Some residents say they have not been able to complete their sleep since 5.am, as frightening gun shots sent them on the floor, since they believe that they could not be hit by a stray bullet while in that position. However, people and cars have started moving within the town, as some say there's relative calm.

The gun exchange said to be between armed separatists and government forces comes on the heels of the distribution of humanitarian assistance to over 2000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on Thursday, by Minister Atanga Nji Paul at the Governor’s office in Bamenda.

Minister Atanga Nji once again reiterated President Paul Biya's call for armed separatists to drop down their weapons and warned them against consequences that might follow if they don’t.

“So the President has given another opportunity to terrorists that they should lay down their weapons and come out of the bushes. They have no future in the bushes…Those who are still in the bushes still have the possibility to repent and if you want to repent, President Paul Biya has given you this branch of peace”, he advised.

Gifts handed over to the displaced persons ranged from mattresses, blankets, buckets and some other basic house needs. The government has also offered security lights, whistles, motorcycles, and other items to vigilante groups, to resist attacks from separatist fighters.

"About 950 girls for less than 13 years are pregnant in this region. Is it right? You have been raped by the terrorists, they have taken your fathers, your mothers and your children asking for ransoms. That is not how people used to live here”, the Minister lamented.

Seemingly his call for armed groups to drop their weapons fell on deaf ears as the later attempted to put the Minister and his entourage in an uneasy mood this morning.