A notorious separatist activist and self-proclaimed “master of mutilation” has been indicted in the U.S. for supporting and financially backing a violent campaign to overthrow the Cameroonian government.
According to an ICE news release, a federal grand jury indicted Cameroonian national Eric Tano Tataw, 38, of Gaithersburg, Md., based on an investigation conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in partnership with the FBI and the Diplomatic Security Service.
USA: Un grand jury fédéral a inculpé Eric Tano Tataw, 38 ans, de Gaithersburg (Maryland). Ce ressortissant camerounais, également connu sous le nom de "Garri Master", est accusé d'avoir conspiré en vue d'apporter un soutien matériel à des groupes séparatistes armés au Cameroun et… pic.twitter.com/rLWD3uNEPr
— HistoireDuCameroun🇨🇲 (@mbeatowe) April 25, 2025
Tataw allegedly supported separatist fighters known as “Amba Boys” who maim and murder civilians. The violent group targeted the military, civilians, and government sympathizers to pressure the Cameroonian government into allowing secession. The separatist groups want to form a new country called “Ambazonia.”
@FBI @INTERPOL_HQ @CIA @UNPOL HIS NAME IS Eric Tataw Tano
THIS MAN LIVES AROUND WASHINGTON AREA IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.THIS MAN OWNS A PARA-MILITARY GROUP WHICH IS CARRYING OUT TARGETED KILLINGS IN CAMEROON ALMOST ON A DAILY BASE pic.twitter.com/pFEXg5ZZVL— Moses Forchu (@ForchuMoses) August 18, 2018
Tataw, also known as “the Garri Master,” is charged with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist groups in Cameroon and making threatening communications to injure or kidnap Cameroonian civilians, according to a DOJ news release.
What is a Garri Master? A master of mutilation, according to court documents.
Cameroon is a country in West Central Africa that borders Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south.
According to court documents, multiple armed and violent secessionist groups in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions are fighting to secede and form a new country.
The Amba Boys have attacked the Cameroonian military and also targeted civilians, in an effort to coerce and intimidate the Cameroonian government into allowing these regions to secede.
@FBICBS @ICEgov @foxnewsalert There is a Terrorist near your capital called Eric Tataw Tano planning something big. pic.twitter.com/6o11OQmQ23
— Lambo Bakossi (@LBakossi) October 10, 2019
“Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government,” Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland said, via a press release, reported by Fox 45 News. “They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda.”
The indictment alleges Tataw was a citizen of Cameroon living in Maryland and was a member of the Cameroonian diaspora with a large social media following. Beginning no later than April 2018, Tataw conspired to provide material support and resources — including money, weapons, and personnel — to Amba Boys in Cameroon. He also called for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of Cameroonian civilians.
The indictment of Tataw is another example of the commitment of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations to combat transnational crime and pursue justice for victims around the world, according to ICE HSI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy.
“Although residing in Maryland, Tataw is alleged to have played a significant role in promoting violence and human rights violations in Cameroon by supporting a separatist movement” McCarthy said in a statement. “These groups have been linked to heinous crimes against civilians, and this case highlights how such atrocities can be financed and directed from afar.”
In addition, Tataw led fundraising campaigns to supply the Amba Boys with firearms, ammunition and explosive materials. The “National AK Campaign” aimed to equip each Amba Boy with an AK-47 rifle. From September 2018 through December 2020, Tataw and his supporters raised more than $110,000, according to the indictment.
Investigators allege Tataw and his co-conspirators calling for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of Cameroonian civilians, a practice he referred to as “Garriing.”
Tataw used the phrase “small Garri” to refer to removing fingers or other small appendages and the phrase “large Garri” to refer to removing large limbs or killing people. Additionally, Tataw referred to himself as the “Garri Master.”
“As alleged, Tataw personally wrote hundreds of social media posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter calling for attacks against Cameroonian civilians, seeking to raise funds to arm Amba Boys, and threatening those he viewed as cooperating with the Cameroonian government,” the ICE release states.
His posts, viewed by tens of thousands, including by Amba Boys and their leaders, were reshared by third parties reportedly acting at Tataw’s direction or encouragement.
Tataw and his co-conspirators also targeted municipal officials, traditional chiefs and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation, a government-owned company that grew, processed, and sold bananas, palm oil and rubber.
According to the indictment, Tataw communicated directly with Amba Boy leaders on the ground in Cameroon. He also took credit for Amba Boys murdering, kidnapping, and maiming civilians in connection with the separatists’ cause.
If convicted, Tataw faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the material support count and five years in prison on each count of making threatening communications to injure or kidnap.
