Pastor Escapes Attempted Arrest For Allegedly Aiding Separatist Fighters

By Joe Ekoka

The pastor of a Pentecostal Church in Ikata, Myukuka Subdivision whose name we got as Pastor Edward Ndumbe Ekema, is said to be on the run following the raid of his church last Sunday July 23, 2023 by Uniform men believed to be government forces.

According to reports, he was suspected of aiding separatist’s fighters in that part of the region trough provision of food items and prayers.

The Pastor of the Disciplining The Nations Ministry in Ikata, Pastor Ndumbe Edward Ekema is reported to have escaped when he saw gunmen in the church.

In his absence, Christians and onlookers alleged that some Christians of the church were arrested by security operatives and whisked away chattering the church premises and belongings of the Church.

Community members say he was accused of providing food, shelter and offering prayers to the separatist fighters in that locality.

We are however told that the Church had a community outreach program of taking care of internally displaced persons especially women and young men in the crisis hit zone of Ikata near Muyuka, a red district in the ongoing Crisis in the English speaking regions of Cameroon.

It is this linkage that must have attracted security forces to his church and activities for such allegations to be made and the eventual attack and attempted arrest.

The whereabouts of the Pastor is not known though it is believed he must be in hiding in a safer zone for fear of the unknown.

Background information reveals that the Father of Pastor Ndumbe Edward, Simon Molungu Ekema, was a wealthy farmer with large plantations.

We gather that his father was also a benevolent farmer, loved by his community for his generosity and support to those around him.

He was also one time accused of supporting members of the Southern Cameroons National Council and died under strange conditions.

When he died, Pastor Ndumbe Ekema became the Family head where he inherited the agricultural estate of his father.

If apprehended, Pastor Ndumbe Ekema risked being charged for aiding terrorism and will face the dreaded Anti Terrorism law.

According to the law, he may face a sentence of 15 to 25 years and may be a life sentence.

The law, where civilians are judged in a military court has been described by many human rights bodies and diplomatic missions as a gross violation to the fundamentals of human rights.