Bamenda:Bangolan Palace Under Siege As Fon Relegates Tradition To Embrace Man Of God

Gun shots have been heard early this evening at the Bangolan Palace, Babessi Sub Division of Ngokutunjia Division, Northwest Region. Angry villagers stormed the palace this evening demanding Fon CHAFAH XI who was dethroned weeks back, to leave the palace.
A source in BABA told our correspondent that gun shots were heard from the direction of the palace which wounded five persons. The fon’s son and four villagers. I am told no one has died.
Roads leading to the village have been blocked; Security forces don’t have access to the village.
Our correspondent was equally told the situation became worst when shots were fired from all directions, the TAKEMBENG women (Who usually march naked to denounce certain issues) came out naked, leaving many to flee from what they termed ill luck.
Fon CHAFAH XI who was dethroned while in Yaoundé has been struggling to gain favor from the villagers after a crisis meeting which held at the council hall of Babessi. According to villagers, the meeting did not yield fruits. They have continued to maintain that Fon CHAFAH is no more their Fon.
About 500 villagers from Bangolan on Wednesday February 24, 2016 staged a sit down protest in front of the governor’s office in Bamenda to demand an end to torture and massive arrest of youths by the army. They were rather referred to go back to the SDO for Ngoketunja, Kwela Valery for a solution.
The Fon is being accused of relegating tradition to the back ground after embracing religion, villagers hold that he burnt some traditional statues that represents the Bangolan village.
FON CHAFAH is still in palace surrounded by angry villagers.

Photo credits: Bamenda Online
By NFOR Hanson NCHANJI
With reports from Triyah Swebu Triyah and Jini Edmond.