By Peterkins Manyong
Paul Muma, 61, a retired 
mathematics teacher, was on Tuesday, September 19, killed by a bullet from the gun of his brother-in-law.The incident took place at Mile 7, Mankon, Bamenda.
According to family members, Rev. Julius Cho and Julius Ngu Nche, "Pa Muma" as he was fondly called, went to the funeral of his son's mother-in-law, taking along a dance group.
After the dance group had performed he stood conversing with some of his children, instructing them to ensure that the dancers ate before departure. It was at this moment that a bullet fired from the gun of his brother-in-law hit him in the face. He was immediately taken to the Bamenda Provincial Hospital where he died after frantic efforts by doctors and nurses to save his life.
Family members declined disclosing the name of the person who fired the bullet for security reasons. They stopped short of confirming or refuting the allegation that the brother-in-law was drunk, maintaining that "it was an accident."
Eyewitnesses whom The Post spoke with said the gun owner was drunk; that he first wanted to fire the gun inside a house, but this move was opposed by all, obliging him to carry out the exercise outside.
The Post also learnt that the brother-in-law attempted to commit suicide after the incident but bystanders restrained and handed him over to the Judicial Police in Bamenda.
According to the deceased's daughter, Laura Muma, a student of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Buea, her father was employed as a teacher of Mathematics at Our Lady of Lourdes College Mankon after he retired from the public service.
In his youth he was a well-known footballer first in the US where he lived for 16 years and in Cameroon. In his riper years Pa Muma coached many teams, including PWD, Cammark, Freeboys and Adidas Football clubs, all in Bamenda. He leaves behind a wife and five children to mourn him.
This gunshot practice should be abandoned by us Northwesteners. It is a tradition that seems to have a gone a long way to kill innocent lives. In the recent funeral of my father, my maternal relatives from Manyu were telling me of several people who have been killed by innocent gun shots. The earlier we abandon this practice, the better.
Posted by: rexon | Thursday, 21 September 2006 at 03:05 PM
Or people should be required to use only blanks at funerals, cartridges with powder, but no projectiles and no more "accidents" should become crimes.
Posted by: Ma Mary | Thursday, 21 September 2006 at 06:49 PM
IF TRADITION CAN AND SHOULD BE MODERNISED THEN WE NEED TO CALL IT AN END DAN GUN FIRING @ FUNERALS IN THE GRASSFIELD, UNLESS IT'S AN EXPERIENCE TO TASTE HOW ONE LOSES HIS/HER LIFE!!!!
Posted by: KWIFON | Friday, 22 September 2006 at 01:32 PM
Rest in Peace Our Beloveth Pa Muma.What a great lost to us.Your gentility ,soft spoken and fatherliness will be remembered and from your way of life while with us,there is no doubt that you are with Our Almighty.The pains and grieving is much but the family should take heart and the Nsongwa community home and abroad should equally take heart .Brother Valley,take heart.REST IN PEACE .
Posted by: Henry Che | Friday, 22 September 2006 at 09:14 PM
This is a tradition that takes the lifes of innocent people.I guess even without drunkeness the gunner must have used this situation to capitalise his selfish aims.I don't think a drunk can attempt to commit suicide after his dreadful action.If he is drunk I hope his eyes will only clear after he is given his rightful jail term for murder.He can only be bailed if he has got grounds like Fon Doh.Or being a staunch CPDM member in La Republique.
Fritzane Kiki
Hong Kong
Posted by: Fritzane Kiki HK | Saturday, 23 September 2006 at 09:51 AM
I am very shocked and aggrieved to learn of the death of this beloved teacher and father figure. Pa Muma was my maths teacher in GBHS Bamenda from form 1-5(bet 1990-1995) and his death under such tragic conditions greatly saddens me. I want to take this opportunity to extend ma condolence to his entire family. I pray that the almighty God grant him eternal rest and to the family strength to go through this great loss.
Those making political statements; please this is the wrong forum to make such senseless and heart less comments.
Numvi Wallace
London UK
Posted by: numvi | Saturday, 23 September 2006 at 03:15 PM
I think it's about time the gun firing ends in the North West. I mean, when people attend funerals, most of them drink a lot as it is free. How could you prevent an accident? Pa Muma was my Math teacher in GBHS Bamenda. Isn't death so cunning? You never know when it knocks at your door. We all better be prepared! Rest in Peace Pa Muma
Sirry ALang, PA USA
Posted by: Sirry | Sunday, 24 September 2006 at 06:42 PM
Paul Muma was a pioneer of Sacred Heart College. A soft spoken and superb footballer with a brilliant mind. May he rest in peace
Posted by: Maishu | Monday, 02 October 2006 at 05:12 AM
Pa Muma was a great teacher indeed. I remember his funny jokes in Maths classes in Form 5 GBHS Bamenda and some from Further Maths classes. The Gun firing issue realy needs to be put on hold. What a way to leave the world! That tells us all to be prepared and live each day as our last. You never know when. May you be ready to meet God when the death angel strikes.
Peace,
Ivo T. Louisville. KY, USA.
Posted by: Ivy tenno | Thursday, 16 November 2006 at 07:14 PM