3 soldiers lost lives as separatists ambush their patrol in Matouke, Cameroon

Three Cameroonian soldiers were killed in an ambush on Wednesday morning, September 23, 2026, along the Matouke–Kotto road in Moungo Division, Littoral Region.

The attack took place at about 7 a.m. in the New Layout area of Matouke as the soldiers, from a detachment of the 23rd Motorised Infantry Battalion (BIM) based in the town, were reportedly heading to a control post. The victims have been identified as Sergeant Ateba Olanguena, Chief Corporal Betkemo Banibou and Private First Class Abienza Joseph.

Armed men opened fire on the soldiers and fled with their weapons and ammunition, according to reports. Cameroonian outlet Le Bled Parle also confirmed the three deaths and the reported seizure of military equipment.

The separatist armed group Fako/Meme Unity Warriors claimed responsibility. In a video reviewed by local media, individuals identifying with the group displayed firearms, ammunition and military uniforms they presented as seized during the attack. The footage does not show the soldiers’ bodies, and the origin of the equipment cannot be independently verified from the video alone.

The group described the ambush as retaliation for the killing of three civilians in Ekona, South-West Region, on September 19. Those victims were reportedly shot inside their homes. Local accounts have linked the Ekona killings to armed men associated with John Eko Ewume (known as Moja Moja), a former member of Cameroon’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR). The accusations have not been established through any judicial process. The group’s claim does not prove responsibility for the earlier civilian deaths or that retaliation was the sole motive.

Matouke, near Penda Mboko and close to the border with the South-West Region, has seen previous violence linked to Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict. In May 2023, armed separatists attacked a security checkpoint there, killing members of the defence and security forces and a civilian. The area’s location less than 40 kilometres from Douala has previously drawn attention to the spread of attacks beyond the North-West and South-West regions.

The Fako/Meme Unity Warriors have claimed earlier operations, including an ambush in Mbonge in late August 2026 that killed two soldiers and an attack near Muyuka earlier in the year.

Security measures have reportedly been reinforced around Matouke as authorities seek those responsible. The incident forms part of the ongoing conflict that began with protests in the English-speaking regions in 2016 and escalated into armed confrontation between separatist groups and government forces from 2017 onward. The violence has extended into neighbouring areas, including parts of the Littoral Region.