Since the reported arrest of Shagi, social media has been flooded with accusations, counteraccusations and competing claims of credit. The confrontation between Christopher Tambe Tiku and Nkonda Titus, popularly known as “My Contri People,” has intensified questions about humanitarian mediation, confidentiality and accountability.
Some commentators portray this dispute as a competition for official recognition or financial rewards. That characterisation remains unproven and must not be presented as fact. But the underlying concern deserves attention: our people are dying, and ending this war must take priority over anyone’s reputation, appointment, allowance, budget or bonus.
Nkonda reportedly accuses Tambe of collaborating with separatists and handling ransom money. Tambe maintains that his contacts were intended to secure the release of hostages, including students, a lecturer and police officers.
Let us be clear: communicating with kidnappers to save lives does not, by itself, establish complicity in their crimes. Criminal accusations require credible evidence, not speculation or social media allegations.
Tambe deserves recognition for the lifesaving interventions he describes. However, humanitarian mediation depends on trust and confidentiality. If mediators are perceived as using confidential contacts to facilitate arrests or lethal operations, future negotiations could become more difficult, placing both hostages and intermediaries at risk.
Securing a hostage’s release and gathering intelligence serve different purposes. Confusing those roles can undermine the channels through which lives are saved.
Anyone claiming credit for a security operation should also recognise the need for accountability. Claims of unlawful conduct must be independently examined, whoever is implicated. Neither public applause nor political connections should shield wrongdoing.
The reported circulation of material allegedly obtained from a separatist fighter’s phone raises further questions: Who accessed it? Has it been authenticated? Who authorised its disclosure? Any allegation of an unlawful disclosure deserves proper investigation.
To Christopher Tambe Tiku: Thank you for every life you have helped save. You have every right to defend your reputation, but restraint and confidentiality may protect more lives than a public confrontation.
To Nkonda Titus: If you possess credible evidence of criminal wrongdoing, submit it to the competent authorities. Public accusations and competing claims of credit cannot replace evidence and due process.
The Anglophone Crisis has already inflicted too much suffering. Civilians, security personnel and families across our communities continue to pay the price. We need a genuine path towards ending this conflict through dialogue, negotiation and a political settlement—even where peace may threaten interests that benefit from its continuation.
We cannot afford to turn humanitarian intermediaries into targets of personal rivalry or reckless public suspicion.
A LIFE SAVED IS NOT A TROPHY. A HOSTAGE RELEASE IS NOT A PUBLICITY CONTEST. HUMANITARIAN TRUST MUST NEVER BECOME A CASUALTY OF PERSONAL AMBITION.
Let us protect the channels that save lives, demand accountability through credible evidence, and put humanity above publicity.
— Dr. David Makongo
“I DEFEND TRUTH AND PROTECT COMMUNITIES.”
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