Northwest military receives new officials

The Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon in charge of defense has presided over the installation of four newly appointed military officials to the Northwest Region.

Joseph Beti Assomo flanked by over five Generals commissioned the officials during a ceremony Monday, March 11, 2016, on the Bamenda commercial avenue.

Welcoming the Minister and his defense staff, the Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council thanked the Cameroon military on behalf of the Bamenda people for their work in the fight against Boko Haram. While assuring the newly appointed of total support, Ndumu Vincent Nji expressed the need for both financial and infrastructural resources to be made available for them to effectively discharge the duties for which they are appointed.

Mindful of the landlocked nature of the region and the current security challenges, the government delegate raised worries over the limited number of forces of law and order and the vehicles available for use.

On health, Ndumu Vencent requested the upgrading of the Bamenda Military hospital to a special service hospital and the creation of three new military hospitals in Nkambe, Kumbo, and Wum to cater for the growing need for affordable health care in these areas.

In descending order of hierarchy, Minister Beti Assomo opened the series of installations with that of Col Agha Robinson Ndong, who takes over from late Col Eyong Ebot as Commander of the 22nd Motorized Infantry Brigade.

Next was Col Taiwe Commander of the Sixth Military sector, then Ngassam Jules Roland Serge as Commander of the 22nd Command and support Battalion. The Minister will be later in his speech commission Col Essambe Tabe Jackson as Regional Chief of Ex-service men and war victims.

In his commissioning speech, Joseph Beti Assomo edged the installed to work in tandem with the population to fight all forms of security threats in the region. Their presence the minister noted should be a source of hope and assurance, not panic as some persons have made it to be. According to the minister all those who instill panic in the name of maintaining peace and order are liable before the law.

For the first time, the minister acknowledged and appreciated the support received from the region relating to the fight against Boko Haram as part of nationwide war effort.

Though the region has not known any form of Boko Haram attacks, the installation comes at the time the region is witnessing a few security threats amongst them the Wum incidence in Menchum Division that ended with one dead, many injured and property lost.

However the fact that the region shares a long border with Nigeria demands much security vigilance.