Idabato Mayor Detained for Conspiring in Kidnapping of Divisional Officer
In a shocking development, the Mayor of Idabato, Etongo Efange Edem, has been detained in connection with the kidnapping of the Divisional Officer (D.O.) of Idabato, Ewane Roland. The mayor has been held in Buea for nearly two months as authorities investigate his alleged involvement in the abduction.
The Incident
The kidnapping occurred on October 1, 2024, when D.O. Ewane Roland and a council worker, Etongo Ismaiel, were abducted from their residence in Idabato, located in the Bakassi Peninsula. The armed group, believed to be Nigerian pirates known as Enjor, whisked them away through the sea in an engine boat. The kidnappers later demanded a ransom of over a billion CFA francs and the release of their detained colleagues from Buea Central Prison.
Investigation and Arrest
Following the abduction, the Gendarmerie legion arrested Mayor Etongo Efange Edem in November 2024. His phone and belongings were confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are probing the mayor as a suspect in the kidnapping, which has left the community in distress.
Community and Government Response
The mayor’s detention has sparked reactions from various quarters. Some mayors from the Ndian Division have pleaded for his release, but their efforts have been unsuccessful due to the critical nature of the case. The Southwest Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, has been actively involved in the rescue operations and has urged the community to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces.
During a parliamentary session in December, MP Ngalle Daniel EEtongo questioned Mayor Edem’s prolonged detention and the government’s efforts to ensure the security of Divisional Officers. In response, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji emphasized that everyone benefits from the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. He assured that the judiciary would decide on the mayor’s bail once the preliminary investigation is concluded.
