Last Updated Nov 14th, 2019 at 3:01 pm

A Bible translator has been killed in southern Cameroon amid civil unrest in the region. Benjamin Tem was killed in his home in Wum region Sunday night. He leaves behind five children.

Efi Tembon, who worked with Tem on a Bible translating project, said that the government and their constituents have been attacking separatist-supporting farming communities who have conflicting positions on land rights.

“There is a war of independence going on in the area and so the local population supports independence for southern Cameroon,” Tembon said. “And these attacks toward the local population is not just by Fulanis, the military is also attacking and burning homes. So the military is working hand-in-hand with the Fulanis. They have actually armed some Fulanis to help them fight the local population.”

There is no indication that the crime was related to Tem’s faith since the identity of his killers is unknown. However, the Fulani group and the Cameroon government are primarily Muslim and are aware of the Christian influence in Tem’s region.