(Photo: AFP)

YAOUNDE, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- A commander of a vigilante group in Cameroon's troubled region of Northwest was killed early Friday by suspected armed separatists according to local authorities.

The commander of the community defense forces, simply known as Nkwenti was killed with another member of the group during a routine patrol at a cattle market in Bamenda, largest city of the region , according to security sources.

On Thursday, Nkwenti was seen talking on state media about their plans to stop atrocities in the region and facilitate a safe return to school for hundreds of children who have not been able to go to school for three years because of the armed conflict.

More than 30 vigilante groups have been formed in the two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest since conflicts between government forces and armed separatists started in 2017, according to local authorities.

The Cameroonian government has provided financial and material support to the groups "to fight separatist atrocities".

Nkwenti is the first high profile member of the vigilante group to be killed in the region.

Separatists want to create an independent nation in the two Anglophone regions they call "Ambazonia".

A national dialogue to end the separatist conflict was held in the country in early October, and recommended that a special status should be granted to the two regions.