The Wimbum Cultural and Development Association, WICUDA-USA, a non-governmental organisation representing the interests of the Mbum people of Cameroon, has strongly condemned the “barbaric massacre” of at least 14 people in the Gidado neighborhood of Mbandfung Village, Ndu Subdivision of the embattled North West Region of the country.
In addition to the fatalities including women and children, some as young as two years old, several other residents, mostly minority Mbororos sustained injuries during the assault on the morning of Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
In a statement following the tragedy, WICUDA-USA Chairperson Abel Ngwang and Vice Chairperson Dr. Ndi Richard deplored the killings as an “affront to humanity” and a violation of the principles of peace and coexistence, calling for an urgent probe.
Cameroon’s English speaking North West and South West Regions have been plagued by a deadly armed conflict since 2017, when separatists launched a rebellion with aim to create a breakaway English speaking country made up of the two Regions, which they want called Ambazonia.
More than 6,000 people including civilian and military personnel have been killed and over 600,000 others uprooted from their homes since the conflict erupted, according to humanitarian organisations.
No group had claimed responsibility yet for the Gidado killings, but the Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele Lafrique said the attack was carried out by “a group of armed terrorists” from the neighboring Bui Division.
Ndu Subdivision has largely bore the brunt of the ongoing conflict with an upsurge of violence and incidents of killings in recent months. At least two people including a Pastor were killed in the municipality in November 2025 while at least nine separatist fighters were killed in Mbawrong – another locality within the municipality on January 6, among other cases.
“Not expressing our indignation would be tantamount to endorsing the ongoing violence and its attendant consequences,” WICUDA-USA stated in its press release.
The organization has called on the government to launch an immediate investigation and bring those responsible for the “Gidado massacre” to justice. It has also called on security forces to provide better protection for vulnerable communities.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and the sanctity of human life, WICUDA-USA has encouraged traditional and political leaders to lead peace efforts by mobilizing communities toward sustainable peace, offering to collaborate with affected communities to assist victims and find lasting solutions to end the “vicious cycle of violence”.
