A security operation conducted in Bamenda, specifically in the Ndamukong neighborhood, resulted in the arrest of over 40 people this Wednesday morning. The operation, known locally as "kale kale," began around 7 a.m., according to multiple sources.
Security forces carried out systematic house-to-house searches in this neighborhood of the Northwest regional capital. The majority of those arrested are reportedly young men, including some students. Resident accounts describe a tense intervention, with thorough searches of homes and, according to some residents, forced entry into certain properties.
As of now, authorities have not commented on the specific reasons for this operation. However, this type of intervention is relatively frequent in Bamenda, given the fragile security context linked to the crisis in the Anglophone regions. In September 2020, a similar operation called "Bamenda Clean" was launched to counter the activities of armed separatists in the city.
The "Bamenda Clean" operation aimed to protect civilians from "terrorists" and "criminals" and to restore public security. It was part of the Cameroonian military strategy to maintain control of important urban areas in the Anglophone regions. Operations of this type have been carried out in the past, such as in January 2025, when a raid in Ntamulung led to several arrests following the death of a suspect in custody.
The local population is divided between concern and resignation, awaiting clarification on the fate of those arrested and the consequences of this operation. Residents are calling for transparency and accountability in security operations to prevent possible human rights violations.
