YAOUNDE, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- An official of Cameroon's electoral body, Elections Cameroon (Elecam), has been killed by suspected separatist fighters in Cameroon's English-speaking region of Northwest, local and security sources said on Thursday.
Gilbert Yufola, district chairman of Elecam in Jakiri, was shot dead Wednesday night in Bamenda, the chief town of the region, a senior military official in the region said.
"The terrorists shot him in front of his residence. We have intensified the presence and patrol of security forces (in the town), especially as elections approach," the official who asked not to be named told Xinhua by phone.
The elections of Cameroon's Upper House of the Parliament or the Senate will be held on March 12, but separatists have issued a statement on social media warning municipal councilors who are the major actors in the elections, to boycott the polls or be "arrested and kept in custody or eliminated."
On Wednesday, Chairperson of Elecam Enow Abrams Egbe reassured of increased security following threats by the armed separatists who have been fighting since 2017 to create an independent nation in Cameroon's two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest. ■