Cameroon: Priest and two friars abducted in Northwest amid Anglophone crisis
A newly ordained priest, Father John Bosco Bihkong, and two other friars from the Franciscan Brothers of Emmanuel congregation have been abducted in Cameroon's Northwest region. The incident occurred on the night of June 27, 2026, in Melim, Father Bihkong's home village within the Ndop arrondissement. Father Bihkong, serving in the Nkongsamba diocese in the Littoral region, was in his village to celebrate his first mass. He was accompanied by Brother Sylvester Sewong, the guardian of the Kékem Convent, and Brother Marie Rodrigue Sop, who is preparing for his perpetual profession. The abduction was confirmed by the Bishop of Nkongsamba, Mgr Dieudonné Espoir Atangana, through a communication from the vicar general, Mgr Joseph Tchinda Dountio. The church has called for prayers and support for the friars' safe return. This event highlights the ongoing danger faced by clergy amidst the decade-long Anglophone crisis. Religious figures, including priests and pastors, have frequently been targeted by separatists in the Northwest and Southwest regions. Past incidents include the September 2022 abduction of five priests and a nun in Nchang, Southwest region, who were released weeks later, and the November 2025 detention of six priests and a layperson in Bamenda, where a ransom was demanded for one of the abducted priests.
The repeated targeting of religious figures in Cameroon's Anglophone crisis underscores the complex dynamics of the conflict, where non-state armed groups may seek to exert influence or gain leverage through high-profile abductions. The church's role as a mediator and its vulnerability in such situations present a significant challenge to peace efforts. Future strategies to de-escalate the conflict may need to address the security concerns of all community members, including religious leaders, and explore mechanisms for dialogue that bypass violent confrontation. The economic and social disruption caused by such incidents, coupled with the potential for escalating demands, warrants a comprehensive approach that considers both security and humanitarian dimensions.
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