The victim, Inspector Bayuga Ernest, was on a regular patrol mission with a colleague who jumped into the sea and remains unaccounted for.

The ill-fated incident occurred along the Barracks maritime frontier line between Cameroon and Nigeria in the early hours of Thursday, February 12, 2015. Information gathered from the Divisional Officer of Kombo Itindi Subdivision, reveals that the deceased Police Officer, Inspector Bayuga Ernest and the Chief of Post for Frontier Police in Barracks, Enobi Ngwesse Opepe, set out in a boat on patrol along the creeks on that ill-fated day. The objective was to keep watch and ensure security in the area as it has been the practice.

The Divisional Officer of Kombo Itindi explained that while on duty, the police officers came head on with some seven (7) gunmen on board a speed boat popularly called ‘Flying Boat.’ The unpleasant encounter and exchange of fire led to the death of Inspector Bayuga Ernest and the boat driver of the police officers of Nigerian nationality. Meanwhile, during the exchange, the Chief of Post for Frontier Police in Barracks, Enobi Ngwesse Opepe, jumped into the sea and is yet to be found or accounted for.

Speculation holds that he either succeeded to escape since he wore a life jacket, or he may have been kidnapped by the unknown assailants. We further gathered that one of the gunmen of Nigerian nationality by name Obere Samuel, sustained serious injuries during the shoot-out and was captured. He is currently receiving medical attention at the Barracks Health Centre.

The remains of the late Police Inspector Bayuga Ernest were conveyed to the Ekondo Titi Beach by the Divisional Officer of Kombo Itindi alongside members of the police force. The corpse was received by the Senior Divisional Officer for Ndian, Ntou"ndong Chamberlian. Following his instructions, the corpse was later transported to Limbe, where the deceased’s family is based, and kept in the mortuary of the Limbe Regional Hospital.