His Majesty Nju Wilson of Koshin an enclave locality in Fungom Subdivision in Menchum Division in the North West Region is fast becoming a persona non grata in his kingdom.
The unfortunate situation, on the ground reports have revealed, is a consequence of a land lease involving multimillionaire cattle grazer Alhadji Baba Danpulo. Distress calls reaching our news desk say a fortnight ago, irate individuals, mainly youths, stormed the Fon’s premises wreaking havoc on the palace structures.
Doors are said to have been shattered and the roof of the main building damaged. Our sources are unanimous that the assailants were clamouring for the departure of the cattle ranch set up by Alhadji Baba and most of all calling on the Fon to provide their own fair share of the money purportedly given by the cattle grazer.
As if that was not enough, a note was left at the palace by persons calling themselves Amba Boys, calling on the Fon to bring the money for land, or face their wrath.
Contacted on phone, Fon Nju refuted collecting any money for land. He further precised that the ceding of some land to the grazer was a concerted decision with family and notables. It was intended to usher in development and employment as the grazer had promised to open a tea estate.
Matters seem to have degenerated because the administration of the ranch, a certain Sali and his people were systematically taking the village hostage. Our investigation led us to notice that Mr Sali had erected barriers all around the village, and guards were subjecting villagers to ID card control, even when going to farm. It was further verified that cattle intermittently strayed into farms destroying crops.
“Many of us will not harvest this year, cows have completely destroyed our crops,” decried one affected farmer.
Fon Nju Wilson, lives and works in Yaoundé. He is a graduate of the National School of Magistracy and administration (ENAM). He is a development oriented ruler who took over from his father in 2012 upon the latter’s demise. He is married and a father of many. Fon Nju hopes both the village and the grazers will reach a peaceful agreement.