09/12/2025
Three US citizens of Cameroonian origin, Claude N. Chi, Francis Chenyi, and Lah Nestor Langmi, have been arrested and charged with conspiring to provide material support to a separatist militia group in Cameroon, known as the Ambazonian Restoration Forces. The group is accused of kidnapping Cameroonians and demanding ransom payments from their US relatives to fund their operations.
The indictment alleges that the defendants raised over $350,000 through online platforms and used the funds to purchase equipment, supplies, and weapons for the separatist fighters. They are also accused of kidnapping civilians, including Cardinal Christian Tumi, and demanding ransom payments .
The defendants face charges of conspiracy to provide material support, receiving money from a ransom demand, and money laundering conspiracy. If convicted, they could face up to 15 years in prison for the material support charges, up to three years for the ransom demand charge, and up to 20 years for the money laundering conspiracy charge.
The Ambazonian Restoration Forces is a separatist group fighting for an independent state in Cameroon's English-speaking regions. The conflict has led to widespread violence, displacement, and human rights abuses .
Mimi Mefo
MMI News