Cameroonian Soldier Killed, Civilians Detained After Bafia Ambush in Southwest Region

On Sunday, Chief Corporal Mouliom Simon, a soldier from Mbanjou, succumbed to injuries sustained in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast at Mile 12, Bafia, along the Muyuka–Muyenge axis. According to field reports and military sources, the attack occurred during an ongoing sweep by government troops, who were clearing suspected rebel-planted explosives and patrolling restive areas.

The fallen soldier, described by colleagues as a disciplined officer months away from promotion, was evacuated by motorcycle to base due to poor road access. Several other soldiers were wounded.

The attack, which pro-Ambazonia portals have called a “deadly encounter,” reportedly involved a roadside IED, a tactic increasingly employed by armed groups fighting for the independence of what they call Ambazonia — the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.

A Career Cut Short, a Region on Edge

Chief Corporal Simon’s death drew tributes from his home community and comrades-in-arms, who hailed his dedication. “He had worked tirelessly through some of the most dangerous missions. Everyone was looking forward to his promotion. His death is a huge blow,” said a fellow soldier, speaking anonymously.

On Monday, the military presence in Bafia intensified. According to residents and civil society activists, troops launched what one witness described as a “massive crackdown,” detaining hundreds of civilians for questioning at a local barracks. Seven military vehicles and an ambulance arrived from Buea to retrieve Simon’s remains later that evening.

The Cameroonian army has yet to issue an official statement. In Yaoundé, the Ministry of Defence remains silent on casualty figures and the scope of civilian detentions.

Activists Celebrate, Residents Mourn

On social media, Ambazonian activist Kemita Ashu claimed responsibility on behalf of the rebels, referring to Cameroonian troops as “invading thugs” and calling the ambush a step toward “reclaiming our territory.” In a post hashtagged #RECOGNITION_OF_AMBAZONIA and #AMBAZONIA_MUST_BE_FREE, Ashu mocked the military and decried what he termed the arrest of innocent civilians as “war crimes.”

For many in Bafia and nearby Muyuka, however, fear dominates. Residents reported house-to-house searches and an atmosphere of intimidation since Sunday night. “They arrested my uncle and my neighbors,” said one woman by phone. “We don’t know where they’ve taken them or if they’ll come back.”

A Lingering and Costly War

The ambush highlights the continued volatility of Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis, which began in 2016 with protests over perceived marginalization and escalated into armed rebellion. Over the past eight years, rebels campaigning for the restoration of Ambazonia have clashed regularly with security forces. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced more than 700,000.

Muyuka and its surrounding villages have seen some of the deadliest incidents, with both government and rebel forces accused of abuses. The increased use of IEDs marks a dangerous evolution in tactics by armed groups, raising the stakes for troops patrolling narrow, poorly maintained roads.

Analysts warn that without meaningful dialogue and political concessions, the cycle of violence risks deepening. The death of young servicemen like Simon and the continuing detentions of civilians serve as grim reminders of the toll this war is exacting on all sides.

As one Bafia elder put it: “The people are caught between the hammer and the anvil. We just want peace.”

This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.

How much longer can civilians endure the brunt of this conflict? Should the Cameroonian government pursue new talks with Ambazonian leaders? Are military crackdowns helping or hurting the chances of peace? Who should step in to mediate?

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