Transporters Announce Strike Action Due To Military, Amba Excesses In North West Of Cameroon

Achieve Picture Of A Vehicle Attacked On The Bamenda-Ngoketunjia Road

By Raymond Dingana 

In the crisis-hit North West Region (NWR) of Cameroon, drivers and passengers often thank God for safe travels along the Bamenda-Ngoketunjia-Bui-Donga Mantung roads. This is due to the dangers that travelers face. Travelers risk being kidnapped by armed groups, extorted by military personnel, or even killed.

Despite many security checkpoints along these roads, safety is still a major concern. This insecurity has led drivers along these routes to start a sit-down strike, set to begin on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

In a voice message sent to drayinfos.com, drivers expressed frustration over accusations that they collaborate with gun carrying individuals, putting passengers at risk.

"They say we take passengers and hand them over to be kidnapped or extorted, which isn't true because we suffer too," 

one driver stated.

Announcing the strike, another driver representing colleagues voiced their exhaustion over the constant danger to their lives and those of passengers.

"We're tired of the kidnappings and harassment on the roads,"

he said.

He pointed out that drivers are treated as if they are the ones that started the Anglophone Crisis, whereas they took as victims of what is going on the two restive regions of Cameroon.

"We just want a solution so we can transport our passengers without fear of danger from armed individuals."

 

 Driver Shares Experience on Bamenda-Ndop Road

A driver recalled a frightening encounter with armed groups at Door Market in Tubah Sub-Division, near Sabga, if coming from Bambili.

"Armed men took me and a passenger into the bush and robbed us. When we were finally released, we met gendarmes at Mile 10 Bambili. I reported what happened, but the officer said it wasn't his concern and  we're rather demanding money."

he shared.

He noted that while officers claim they are there for our safety, they often focus more on making money than providing real security.

"Thanks to another officer who intervened, we were finally let go," 

the driver added.

His story isn't unique; many others have faced similar experiences, and the suffering continues.

 Recent Attacks On That Stretch Of Road 

On Sunday January 11, 2026, some travellers were kidnapped and taken into the bush. This camd after Friday's incident when news broke that a Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Father Killian Ndonwei, had been kidnapped in Bamessing in the Ngoketunjia Division but was later released. This came shortly after another priest, Rev. Father John Berinyuy, regained his freedom from kidnappers.

To add to that, a young girl was kidnapped recently on that road while heading to Kumbo to see her mother. The kidnappers demanded 500,000 FCFA, which her struggling mother could not afford. There has been no news about her release.

Sunday, September 28th, 2025,a 10-year-old girl was raped, and both passengers and drivers assaulted. Their vehicles were damaged, and phones, money, and other valuables confiscated by gunmen.https://www.drayinfos.com/2025/09/armed-men-attack-buses-assault-drivers_29.html

In another incident, the body of the former North West Regional Delegate of the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (MINEPAT) was found along that road after he was kidnapped on his way to Nkambe in Donga Mantung Division.

He was laid to rest on Saturday January 10, 2026.

Drivers say they have had enough and demand action to ensure safety for road users. They plan to stop working on those routes starting Tuesday, January 13, 2026, until authorities address issues of kidnapping and extortion.

So far, there has been no official response from North West Regional authorities. Many hope this strike will push officials to enhance security and address how some uniformed officers treat travelers.