Armed groups and opportunistic criminals exploiting the chaos and using the “Amba fighter” moniker as a bogeyman to perpetrate heinous crimes have one thing in common: they are usually disaffected individuals and imbalanced malcontents who have been drugged and radicalized.
By Colbert Gwain | The Muteff Factor (formerly The Colbert Factor)
North West Governor, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique, sounded the alarm bells on Monday, December 22, 2025, during a security and coordination meeting ahead of end-of-year festivities. He highlighted the increased risk of kidnappings, a major concern for the region.
In the picturesque village of Muteff, located near Abuh in the Fundong Subdivision of the Boyo Division in Cameroon’s North West Region, there lived a man named Banah Tangeh, whose life seemed to have stripped him of everything except his unwavering focus. Whenever he encountered a girl heading to the farm or market, he would selflessly offer to carry her load. Banah’s approach to romance was unorthodox, to say the least. Lacking the finesse of traditional courtship, he would bluntly propose marriage to a girl without any prior affection. Each time a girl rejected his proposal, he would remark matter-of-factly, “Nge’ nɨn ghɨ a wùl ɨ ɨ̀wùyn ma a n-lem kɨ̀ ŋweyn.” Roughly translated, this phrase means, “Anyone who seeks trouble receives it.”
Like Banah Tangeh in the Muteff case, the majority of people in Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions warmly welcomed the surge of energy for social change and greater autonomy for the minority Anglophones in 2016. Initially, they fondly referred to the freedom fighters as “our boys” as the radicalization of youths progressed, fueled by promises of rapid results. However, as government security forces infiltrated the camps, the fighters dispersed into communities and turned their guns against the very civilians they claimed to protect. Additionally, criminal gangs with competing agendas joined the fray. Consequently, the same population that once welcomed them began to reject them, referring to them as “those boys.”
This shift in sentiment reflects the complex and evolving nature of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, marked by escalating violence, displacement, human rights abuses, and—more importantly—the emergence of a kidnapping industrial complex, where even criminal gangs have since exploited the Amba fighter moniker for evil gains. With the two English-speaking regions, and especially Bamenda—the epicenter of the conflict—held hostage by kidnappers, one is forced to conclude, like Banah Tangeh, that “anyone who seeks trouble receives it.”
Although the armed wings of the leaderless separatist movements are today a diminishing shell of their former selves, they still warrant continued attention. This is due to two key factors: the exploitation of their existence by strategic competitors, and the potential for resurgence if the underlying causes of the nine-year-old conflict are not promptly and sustainably addressed.
Despite ongoing calls for a genuine and inclusive dialogue to resolve the conflict, the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon continue to grapple with a rampant kidnapping epidemic. Hundreds of civilians, including children, have fallen victim to armed groups and criminal networks. At the root of this kidnapping crisis lies the exploitative use of the term “Amba fighter,” which kidnappers employ to instill fear, justify their crimes, and extort financial gains.
Characteristics of Kidnappers:
Cameroon’s Anglophone regions have been plagued by a kidnapping epidemic that has evolved into a lucrative industry. Perpetrators are capitalizing on the prevailing chaos and uncertainty to reap substantial financial benefits. Alarmingly, approximately ten individuals are kidnapped every day in the two English-speaking regions, with Bamenda and its surrounding areas being particularly affected.
The financial scope of this kidnapping crisis is staggering. With each victim’s ransom averaging CFA one million, the daily total amounts to approximately CFA ten million. This translates to roughly CFA three hundred million per month and an estimated CFA three point seven two billion per year.
The kidnappings involve a complex network of armed groups claiming allegiance to separatist movements, criminal gangs, kidnappers-for-hire, corrupt individuals running private militia groups, money launderers, and middlemen. These actors work together to identify vulnerable targets, plan and execute kidnappings, and negotiate ransom payments. The Amba fighter moniker serves as a convenient justification for their crimes, allowing them to masquerade as freedom fighters rather than common criminals.
By claiming allegiance to separatist movements, kidnappers justify their crimes as part of a broader struggle, intimidate victims and their families, distract from their true motivations—financial gain—and manipulate public opinion and perception. Their victims usually include women and girls, business executives and entrepreneurs, humanitarian workers and aid personnel, civil servants and elected officials, ordinary residents, and community leaders.
Armed groups and opportunistic criminals exploiting the chaos and using the “Amba fighter” moniker as a bogeyman to perpetrate heinous crimes have one thing in common: they are usually disaffected individuals and imbalanced malcontents who have been drugged and radicalized.
Kidnappers in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions exhibit distinct characteristics that enable them to operate effectively. One notable trait is criminal versatility. Before engaging in kidnapping, many of these individuals were involved in other criminal activities such as armed robbery, extortion, and terrorism.
Another defining trait is organizational expertise. They often operate in complex networks, utilizing sophisticated communication channels and tactics to execute their crimes. Intimidation and violence are hallmarks of their approach, frequently employing threats, physical harm, and psychological manipulation to control their victims.
The kidnapping phenomenon in Bamenda today is reminiscent of the Nigerian blockbuster Kidnappers Union, produced by Charles Awuru, with the underlying message that when criminal gangs come together in a union, society faces a grave threat. In the film, the warning line is: “To be safe, come for settlement immediately you see their letter.” Hence the chilling motto: “Kidnappers Union: If you see our letter, come and settle.”
Financial motivation is the primary driver of kidnappings, with perpetrators seeking substantial ransom payments. In some cases, ideological motivations also play a role, as certain kidnappers claim allegiance to separatist or extremist groups, leveraging kidnappings to advance their agendas.
Characteristics of Kidnappables, Their Vulnerabilities, and Risk Factors:
Individuals in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions who are vulnerable to kidnappings include those who are wealthy or possess visible social status. Prime targets include high-net-worth individuals, business executives, and politicians. Those with flashy cars or ostentatious lifestyles are particularly at risk. Building a house and roofing it with toll-bar zinc or imported Nigerian roofing tiles can also increase vulnerability.
Lack of security measures and inadequate security protocols significantly increase the likelihood of kidnappings. Predictable routines are a major vulnerability. Individuals with regular daily commutes or business travel patterns are more susceptible. Those with family members abroad are also frequent targets, as kidnappers seek to exploit perceived access to foreign currency or influence.
In sum, given the rise in kidnappings in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, understanding the characteristics of both kidnappers and kidnappees is crucial to developing effective strategies for prevention, mitigation, and response. By acknowledging the role of the “Amba fighter” bogeyman in perpetuating fear and chaos, society can move toward a more nuanced understanding of the crisis and its underlying drivers. Ultimately, addressing the root causes of this epidemic will require sustained and collaborative efforts from the central government, local communities, and international partners.
In these perilous times, a truth-seeking and informative local news organization like The Muteff Factor (formerly The Colbert Factor) is essential. But it is not easy, cheap, or profitable. The Muteff Factor is a solution-oriented, independent, non-profit content creation platform. It serves as a first draft for newspapers, radio and television stations, online news outlets, and blogs. We do not carry ads, and we are independent of corporate and government interests.
You can help us continue producing investigative, balanced, fair, reliable, credible, and educative content by donating your widow’s mighty mite through MTN MoMo number 677 852 476 or Orange Money number 687 338 370, both registered in the name Colbert Gwain Fulai.
Colbert Gwain | The Muteff Factor (formerly The Colbert Factor)
Leave feedback about this