Bamenda: Suspected Amba fighters kill excavator driver at bridge construction site.

The incident occurred at about 10a.m. Tuesday.

We gathered that the deceased was on duty to rehabilitate the La Chance Bridge, which links Small Mankon and the Rendezvous neighbourhood in Bamenda. 

Eyewitnesses recounted that the gunmen shot the driver at close range before zooming off at break-neck speed on motorbikes. 

The La Chance Bridge collapsed on July 14, 2024, paralysing movements along the street in major neighbourhoods in Bamenda. 

The collapse of the bridge caused significant disruptions to daily life, and further delays will exacerbate the situation.

The attack and killing of the driver have sent shockwaves across the community, causing fear and anxiety among residents. 

The killing of the excavator driver is a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict in Bamenda in particular and the restive Anglophone Regions in general. 

The population is bearing the brunt of the violence, with many facing significant challenges in their daily lives. Many have argued that the attack on the excavator driver is a clear indication that the conflict is far from over. 

The recent attack has brought about mixed feelings to inhabitants, with rehabilitation and construction works scheduled to begin soon in the entire City of Bamenda.

It is not the first time a road construction worker has been killed in the course of the ongoing armed conflict in Bamenda. 

Works on the Babadjou-Bamenda Road, it should be recalled, delayed for years before taking off again, due to vandalism of the equipment of the construction company by suspected separatist fighters.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3360 of Wednesday February 5, 2025