Cameroon detains five Nigerian pastors over politician’s abduction

Five Nigerian pastors have been arrested and detained by Cameroonian authorities in the Idabato II community, formerly the Bakassi Peninsula, following the abduction of the community’s Divisional Officer, Ewane Roland, by armed men in early October. Local reports indicate that Roland and another council official, Etongo Ismaeil, were kidnapped on October 1, 2024, by gunmen using a flying boat in the coastal area. In response, the Cameroonian government blamed Nigerians in the region for the incident and deployed soldiers to arrest residents.

According to Eniola Alabo, a former leader of the Yoruba community in the area, the Cameroonian Gendarmerie stormed the community, firing shots into the air while detaining several Nigerians, including Iseoluwa Eniola, Feran Ajimosun, Idowu Ajimosun, Abiola Ajimosun, Blessing Ajimosun, Sunny Bassey, Feran Samagbeyi, and Godwin.

On October 8, 2024, South-West Governor Bernard Okalia visited Idabato, declared a total lockdown of the area—home to many Nigerian fishermen—and gave a 72-hour ultimatum to produce Roland alive. With their livelihood disrupted, Nigerians defied the lockdown in early November to resume fishing, prompting further action by Cameroonian authorities. On November 10 and 11, soldiers raided the community, firing sporadically and injuring several Nigerians. During the lockdown, churches were also ordered to remain closed. When Nigerians resumed their normal activities, churches reopened, but soldiers arrested five pastors conducting Sunday services at the Assembly Church of God.

The arrested pastors, identified as Adeleke Omoniye, Cascar Ubom, Etim Asuquo, Olamide Ayeye, and Umoh Atete, were taken to unknown locations by Cameroonian soldiers.