Five hostages killed in Cameroon's restive Anglophone region

At least five civilians held hostage by armed separatists in Cameroon's restive English-speaking region of Northwest have been killed, Quetong Anderson Kongueh, senior officer of Ngoketunjia division has said.

Four hostages including the deputy mayor of Babessi council, Chefor Oscar were killed by armed separatists after the military dismantled their camp.

The newly elected mayor of Mbengwi council, Ndangsa Kenedy Akam, who was kidnapped 15 days ago, was also killed by separatists early Thursday.

"Today, it's crystal clear that the war of liberation so far is directed to the local population. The population need to form vigilante groups and collaborate with government forces to free themselves," Kongueh said.

Armed separatists want to secede from largely French-speaking Cameroon and create an independent nation in the two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest.

They have been clashing with government forces since 2017.