Kidnapping Surge Continues as Separatists Target Northwestern Highways

The north‑west region of Cameroon has witnessed a sharp rise in abductions, with seven passengers taken last weekend while travelling between Bafoussam and Bamenda. Armed groups, identified by authorities as separatist militants, intercepted the vehicle and moved the victims into dense forest terrain.

Family members say the kidnappers are now asking for a high ransom, a tactic that has become commonplace in the area’s ongoing conflict. Previous incidents this year include a similar seizure of a bus carrying twelve passengers and another attack in December that saw eight travelers captured.

Regional police have imposed a travel ban on the main highway and deployed additional forces to search the area. The goal is to locate the hostages and disrupt the pattern of ransom‑driven violence that threatens civilian movement across the province.