Fung John Ngum , a Bamenda- based journalist abducted on Wednesday, January 20 has been freed after wide spread condemnation from colleagues and journalism associations.

Journalist freed after hours of captivity

Fung John was picked up on his way to his place of work at Ndefcam radio, a local radio station in Bamenda. He spent several hours in captivity before being freed.

As news of his abduction went viral, the Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ, demanded for his immediate release.

“It is particularly worrisome that his abductors have not maintained any contact with his family or friends, thus, fueling all form of suspicion. CAMASEJ finds his kidnap as another assault on the press and the right of media practitioners to practice without fear or favour, threats and molestation,” the release partly reads.

CAMASEJ’s national president, Jude Viban, denounced the act and emphasized that journalists are not party to the ongoing crisis in the Northwest and Southwest Region of the country. “Journalists should not be target of any sort,” he said.

Since the outburst of the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis in 2016, journalists have been subjected to torture, harassment, and kidnapping by the warring parties.

Cameroon’s VOA correspondent, Moki Edwin, did an intriguing story where journalists disclosed to him their challenges and threats emanating from the outburst of the crisis.

Journalist Macmillan Ambe told Moki Edwin that he was abducted by separatist fighters in the city of Bamenda after he criticized separatists’ call for families to keep their children out of school. “They followed my TV productions over Waka Africa TV and they said I was canvassing for school resumption,” Ambe told Moki.

Also, Buea-based TV journalist, Samuel Wazizi aka Halla ya Matter, was imprisoned by the government for allegedly having connection with separatist fighters, where he reportedly died in custody.

Another journalist by name Ngwa, revealed that she relocated from Bamenda to Yaounde because she was threatened by some military men for writing a story that did not appeal to their taste.

The crisis in the English-speaking regions has put journalists at the cross road between the devil and the deep blue sea. During this period, it is hoped that journalists stay professional amidst the trying times while looking forward for a lasting solution to be brought to the crisis.

By Neville Mesumbe