Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
Last week, Lebledparle.com reported on a protest that occurred in Meyo as a result of rising insecurity in the area. In response, the prefect of the locality Bouba Haman this Monday, February 24, released a statement on the issue and has brought clarity as to what transpired and also revealed no other person was killed, just two people who were injured. He further revealed various steps authorities have put in place to ensure locals safety and prevention of such tragedy from reoccurring.
Below is the essential information from press release of the prefect:
The Prefect of Ntem Valley Division informs the local and national public of the following facts:
On February 16 and 20, 2025, two lifeless bodies were discovered in the commercial center of Meyo-Centre, located along the Ambam-Ebolowa road, in Ambam Subdivision, Ntem Valley Division, South Region.
The victims were identified as Batcha Gedeon Atanga, aged 49, originally from Santa Subdivision in the Northwest Region, and Onoda Bee Theodore, aged 63, from Mefoup village, located about 6 kilometers from Meyo-Centre.
The first body was found covered in blood, lying on the ground in front of a drinking spot owned by Mbipeh Konyu Sylvain, alias Alex, originally from Bamenda. The victim had a blunt force impact on the nape of the neck, similar to a machete strike. The second body was discovered lying on a public bench under a roadside shelter, with multiple similar impacts on different parts of the head.
While administrative, judicial, and law enforcement authorities were mobilizing for an efficient response to this latest murder, a group of young people from Mefoup village, supported by some locals, launched a protest marred by acts of vandalism. They proceeded to destroy several makeshift kiosks, overturn market stalls, and set up barricades on public roads, causing significant disruption to traffic on National Road No. 12, particularly in Meyo-Centre and Mefoup.
In response to these events, the Sub-Prefect of Ambam Subdivision, the State Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Ambam, and the Prefect of Ntem Valley Division engaged in multiple negotiations with the concerned groups, ultimately leading to the removal of barricades and the restoration of calm.
A visit of comfort and appeasement was immediately carried out by the Prefectural Authority and its delegation, with a message of condolences addressed to the bereaved families.
The assessment of this situation reports two minor injuries, whose lives are not in danger, and who were referred to the Meyo-Centre District Medical Center. Additionally, some kiosks were demolished, though there was no burning or looting of commercial establishments.
While denouncing the spread of misinformation, various forms of manipulation, and exploitation of this affair, the Prefect of Ntem Valley Division reassures the population and public opinion that investigations are ongoing to ensure the security and protection of people and property, without any discrimination, across the entire administrative unit.
He urges all residents to remain vigilant and report any actions that could jeopardize social cohesion and create an atmosphere of insecurity in the Ntem Valley Division.
Furthermore, he calls on community leaders, traditional chiefs, elites (both internal and external), political figures, and civil society actors to fully engage in consolidating peace and peaceful coexistence, as strongly advocated by the Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya. He also reassures the public that the Ntem Valley Division remains a peaceful, welcoming, and hospitable administrative unit, where citizens from all backgrounds go about their daily activities without fear or concern.
Finally, he warns all those responsible for acts of incivility, misinformation, and hate speech that they will face the full force of the law.
