Overview

• A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Benedict Nwana Kuah, 51, of Woodbury, and Pascal Kikishy Wongbi, 52, of Ramsey; both were arrested in Minnesota, made initial appearances, and are detained pending hearings on Sept. 10 and 11.
• The indictment alleges the men held leadership roles in the Ambazonia Defense Forces and directed kidnappings, bombings, and killings to intimidate civilians and pressure the Cameroonian government.
• Prosecutors tie them to specific operations, including an April 30, 2022 kidnapping, a January 2023 IED plot against a regional governor, the Feb. 25, 2023 Mount Cameroon Race bombing that injured 19, Oct. 4, 2023 market murders, and a Feb. 11, 2024 Youth Day IED that killed a 15-year-old girl.
• Investigators say they raised money online through campaigns such as The Takeover Fund and Operation 200AKs, soliciting donations for AK-47s, explosives, and other weapons, with Kuah appearing in videos urging contributions.
• Charges include conspiracies to kill, kidnap, provide material support, and launder money; Kuah faces additional counts including providing material support, hostage-taking conspiracy, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, with a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted; the FBI Minneapolis Field Office leads the case with HSI assistance, and the indictment remains an allegation.