Fon of Bambili addressing his subjects
By Neba Jerome Ambe
Residents of Bambili in Tubah Subdivision, Mezam Division, organised a two-day peaceful protest, calling on the administration to urgently enforce a long-standing injunction order they say is being selectively applied in a protracted land dispute with neighbouring Nkwen.
The demonstrators argue that the contested land, which they say was inherited from their ancestors and cultivated for generations, is now under threat despite an injunction order issued by a former Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Mezam, Nguele Nguele Felix. According to the residents, the order had halted farming activities on the land, which they claim they respected, only for construction works allegedly linked to people from Nkwen to resume in recent months.
On Wednesday, February 4, protesters marched through Bambili and temporarily blocked sections of the Bambili highway to draw attention to their concerns. After failing to obtain what they described as a satisfactory response at the Mezam SDO’s office, they escalated their action on Thursday, February 5, 2026 with a march to the North West Governor’s Office, seeking higher-level intervention to prevent further tension in the community.
Holding placards with messages such as “We need a clear definition of the injunction order,” “We respected it, but others did not,” and “Who enforces a prefectoral injunction?” the protesters accused the administration of failing to ensure impartial implementation of the directive. Some also decried the destruction of homes they say once stood on the disputed land.
Chofo Elvis, a resident of Bambili and an indigene of the area, said the dispute dates back decades. “The people of Nkwen came to our land and destroyed our homes. We complained to the administration, and the then SDO, Felix Nguele Nguele, placed an injunction order,” he said. “The Bambili people have respected it, but the Nkwen people have not. To our surprise, there is even a military camp there protecting those who are constructing. How can an injunction apply to some and not to others?”
According to Chofo, the land conflict reportedly began in 1972 and has been the subject of multiple court cases over the years. He claimed that the High Court of Mezam previously ruled in favour of Bambili, a decision residents say has not translated into lasting peace on the ground.
Despite their grievances, community members insist their actions remain non-violent and focused on dialogue. “We need peace,” said Mundi Susan, another protester. “The administration should go and remove all those constructing. We are not refusing people, but they should make peace.”
At the Governor’s Office on Thursday, the Secretary General reportedly addressed the crowd, calling for calm and assuring them that the government would look into the matter. While details of the proposed administrative steps were not immediately made public, the assurance appeared to ease tensions among the protesters.
Beyond the immediate standoff, the Bambili protests highlight a broader governance challenge common in land disputes across the Region: the gap between court or administrative decisions and their consistent enforcement. Local observers note that clearer communication on the scope of injunction orders, transparent enforcement mechanisms, and inclusive mediation involving all parties could help prevent recurring confrontations.
For the residents of Bambili, the hope is that decisive and impartial administrative action will not only resolve the current dispute but also restore trust in state institutions and preserve peaceful coexistence between neighbouring communities.
