South West: Tunisia engineer and two others freed from captivity
A delegation of Cabinet Ministers including the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo and the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary were at the 101 Airbase to Yaoundé to welcome the three hostages freed in the South West region.
The three man were transported to Yaoundé on board a helicopter from the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR. One of the victims had been placed on treatment throughout the journey.
The Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary issued a press release indicating that a special operation conducted on Tuesday morning, 20th March 2018, by Cameroon’s Defense and Security Forces in the Meme Division of the Southwest Region.
the release indicated that the three men are workers of the Tunisians firm, SOROUBAT enterprise. They were kidnapped in March 2018 by alleged terrorists, while they were working on the construction site of Kumba-lsangele road.
Among the released hostages are a Tunisian engineer and two technicians of Cameroonian nationality. During the operation that lead to their release, four terrorists were neutralized.
The defence and security forces also recovered the mortal remains of the second Tunisian engineer, Khaled Tinsa, assassinated by his captors.
The press release further emphasizes that the captors had threatened to execute the hostages, if a ransom was not paid them within 24 hours.
The Minister of Communication presented to the Government, to the brotherly people of Tunisia and to the family of the deceased, the condolences of the Head of the State.
He assured them of the determination of Cameroonian authorities to search and bring to justice to the alleged terrorists and their sponsors who are still on the run.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary extended the congratulations of the State to the Defense and Security Forces for their bravery and professionalism and urged them to continue to fight resolutely against the gangs of criminals who seek to jeopardize the peace and stability of the country, as well as the security of the populations.
Elvis Teke
