Radio Bonakanda Attack: Manager, Released Journalist Speak Out on Damage, Reason for Kidnap, Others

BY NDIMUH B. SHANCHO

The Station Manager of the Buea-based community radio, Radio Bonakanda, that was attacked on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, and journalist, Mary Namondo, who was kidnapped and released three days after, have narrated the set of events that led to the attack, kidnap, and release.  

In an interview granted Voice of Nature News, September 8, 2019, the Station Manager,  Ndumbe Evambe Amos, disclosed that on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, unknown armed men stormed the radio station, burnt broadcast equipment and shot in the air several times before carting away the journalist on duty, Mary Namondo.

The Bonakanda Radio boss said though no evaluation has been done to quantify the damage caused the radio station, “our acoustic material was damaged, electricity connection destroyed, and broadcast equipment burnt amongst others. These have totally shut down the radio station”

Reason for Attack & Kidnap 

As to why the radio station was attacked, Mr Evambe hinted that the gunmen suspected to be separatist fighters, blamed them for advocating for back-to-school. “It’s like Mary during her programme on that day emphasized on back-to-school,” he added.

The Station Manager noted that he never received any warning or threats from separatist fighters or their leaders at any point in time. He also clarified that no payment was made to secure the release of Mary Namondo.

Namondo Mary’s Account

On her part, Mary Namondo Motimbe, in a separate interview with Voice of Nature News, narrated what happened on that fateful day. “I got to the station at about 7:15 am. From 9:15 to 10 am, I hosted a programme, “Moment of Freedom”. Immediately after my programme, I replayed another programme. While the programme was going on, I heard a knock at the door. As I was about going to find out who was there, they pushed opened because the door was not locked. When they got in, they took me out immediately, blindfolded and took me away,” she expounded.

As to what happened to her why under the custody of her kidnappers, Mary said “while in their camp, the rain on that day fell on me. They took care of me; they did not harm nor do anything bad to me. I can’t really explain what transpired. They just told me on Friday, you can go now; blindfolded me and I only realized myself at I place I knew and could find my way home”.

The released journalist, who intends to go for medical checkup, September 9, 2019, expressed gratitude to journalist associations, trade union, media men and women and everybody for their prayer and solidarity and “above all to the Lord God Almighty for His mercy”.

What Hope for Radio Bonakanda?

Regarding the fate of Radio Bonakanda after the attack and destruction, the Station Manager, Ndumbe Evambe Amos, said the immediate step will be to send a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Territorial Administration and  UNESCO.  He noted that the Director in Charge of community radio stations at UNESCO is aware. “He called after the attack and his immediate concern was the release of Mary. After the release, I got to them and they said by next week, they will see what to do,”  he added.

The Bonakanda Radio boss was particularly grateful to the press for their help in ensuring the release of his journalist. “The work of the media was laudable. I was surprised that even BBC English, BBC Pidgin and BBC Hausa, VOA etc called to get the account. I never knew media men and women in Cameroon were this united. The media attention was wonderful and helped in ensuring Mary’s release,” he said.

Radio Bonakanda is one of the community radio stations UNESCO offered Cameroon in 2001. It became operational in August 2004 with Mary Kamara as first station manager. She later left for America and the station was temporary shutdown until 2017 when Mr. Evambe took over, revamped the station and made it operational.  In 2016, UNESCO came in with new and more recent digital equipment which are now damaged, since last Tuesday.