The late Ngong Clifford alias Huspuppi killed at the Sabga hill
For nearly a decade, civilians in Cameroon's North West and South West regions have continued to bear the heaviest burden of the Anglophone crisis. Whether travelling to bury loved ones, attend church, visit family or conduct business, many now undertake every journey with uncertainty, never knowing if they will safely return home.
The latest reminder of this grim reality came on Friday, July 24, 2026, when Bamenda businessman Ngong Clifford, popularly known as "Huspuppi," was shot dead while returning from the funeral of another businessman. His killing has once again highlighted the growing insecurity on roads linking Bamenda to neighbouring communities and the increasing difficulty in determining who is responsible for attacks on civilians.
Clifford, an indigene of Oku who grew up in Sissia Quarter in Bamenda, was travelling through St. Patrick's Junction in Kedjom Ketinguh, commonly known as Sabga, when armed men reportedly mounted a roadblock and intercepted vehicles. During the attack, he was shot dead, while several passengers travelling with him were reportedly abducted.
The incident immediately sparked outrage across Bamenda and Oku. Family members, friends and business associates mourned the loss of a man many described as hardworking and peaceful, questioning why someone returning from a funeral should become the next victim of the conflict.
As public anger grew, fingers quickly pointed at separatist fighters operating in the area. Residents alleged that the attackers belonged to an armed group active along the Bamenda-Sabga road, where illegal checkpoints, kidnappings for ransom and extortion have become increasingly common.
However, within hours of the incident, self-styled Ambazonia commander Ngeh Cyprian, widely known as "Only Bro," released an audio message denying any involvement in the killing.
In the recording circulating on social media, he rejected allegations linking his group to the attack, claiming that government soldiers disguised as Ambazonia fighters were responsible for the shooting. According to him, the operation was intended to tarnish the image of separatist fighters and turn the local population against them.
His claims have not been independently verified, and government authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of writing.
The conflicting accounts once again expose one of the defining features of the Anglophone crisis: the struggle to establish responsibility whenever civilians are killed. Defence and security forces and armed separatist groups have repeatedly accused each other of carrying out attacks against civilians, leaving families searching for answers and justice.
For many people of the North West Region, the debate over who fired the fatal shots often comes too late. The immediate reality is the loss of another life and another family thrown into mourning.
The Sabga incident also highlights the continued danger posed by illegal roadblocks across parts of the North West. Once busy transport corridors have become zones of fear, where travellers risk extortion, kidnapping or death. Commercial drivers now travel cautiously, often altering routes or limiting movement, while businesses continue to suffer from declining economic activity.
Beyond the political and military narratives lies a humanitarian tragedy. Every attack leaves behind widows, orphans, grieving parents and traumatised communities. Families are increasingly forced to live with fear, uncertain whether a simple journey to a neighbouring village could end in tragedy.
The killing of Ngong Clifford underscores a painful reality of the conflict: civilians continue to pay the highest price. As accusations and counter-accusations persist, many people say what matters most is ending the violence that has disrupted lives, destroyed livelihoods and claimed thousands of lives since the crisis began.
For the people of the North West and South West regions, lasting peace has become more urgent than assigning blame. Until meaningful solutions are found, every new attack serves as another reminder that in the Anglophone crisis, the sound of bullets continues to drown out the voice of reason.
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