Armed security operatives have reportedly taken into custody leaders of the Ambazonia separatist movement, a Cameroonian group agitating for the independence of the Anglophone region of Cameroon.

It is however not clear the security agencies behind the arrest which took place when members of the group were holding a meeting at the Nera Hotels in Abuja  as spokesmen of both the Nigerian Army and Police have denied any involvement in the raid.

Those reportedly picked up by  armed operatives include the president of the group, Julius Ayuk Tabe, Nfor Nfor, Fidelis Che, Henry Kimeng Awasum, Cornelius Kwanga, Tassang Wilfred, Eyambe Elias, Ojong Okongho and Nalowah Bih.

Meanwhile, a statement released by Chris Anu, the spokesman for the Ambazonia separatist movement has called on the authorities in Nigeria to investigate and facilitate the immediate release of all those arrested in Abuja.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has been notified of the incident and it is currently investigating the situation. This criminal abduction happened during a meeting chaired by H.E. Sisiku Ayuk Tabe.

“The President and his team were in a high command meeting in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria at the time the Cameroonian gunmen showed up at the hotel. The meeting started at around 5 pm, Nigerian time. At around 7:30 pm, the gunmen came into the hotel and abducted all of them including the president.

“The meeting was scheduled to discuss the Southern Cameroon’s refugee crisis in Nigeria and to galvanize relief support for housing, medical and feeding in anticipation of the approaching rainy season,” the statement read.

Anu further called on the Nigerian government to investigate the abduction and ensure that no harm was done to the abducted persons as well as guarantee the security of more than 20,000 Southern Cameroon refugees living in various camps across the country.

The Anglophone regions of Cameroon have severally accused the government of Paul Biya who has been in power for 35 years of marginalization and discrimination, leading to widespread protests and violent riots which has killed dozens with many others arrested.