Cameroonian Citizen Alleges Police Torture and Arbitrary Arrest in Yaoundé

In a widely circulated open letter addressed to top Cameroonian authorities, Bouli Ndi Samba Paulin accuses the Anti-Gang Brigade of Central Police Station No. 4 in Yaoundé of assault, arbitrary detention, and attempted murder. According to his account, five unidentified men, some of whom wore identifiable police vests, allegedly stormed his family residence on February 18, 2025, without a warrant or summons and dragged him away in what he describes as a "barbaric raid."

"My eyesight continues to deteriorate day by day because these mercenaries broke my prescription glasses out of excessive zeal," Bouli wrote. He further revealed this was not the first time he had been a victim of alleged unlawful police conduct at this particular station, recalling a similar incident in 2016.

Supporting documents show a formal complaint lodged with the Divisional Commissioner of Central Station No. 4, and the case was formally recorded on March 6, 2025. In the complaint, Bouli outlines a longstanding inheritance dispute involving his late father’s property, which had led him and his siblings to court. A court-designated administrator had been appointed to manage the estate, including a university complex, but Bouli alleges some family members ignored the ruling and continued to control the assets.

He recounts how a theft incident occurred on the estate, leading to the arrest of individuals said to be hired by his siblings. During the investigation, Bouli claims his name was maliciously cited, prompting a series of retaliatory actions against him, including the February arrest.

In a legal notification dated March 6, 2025, issued by bailiff Maître Foumane Fam Sylvain Bernard, the police commissioner was formally served a complaint and instructed to respond within the legal framework.

"This is not just a personal matter. It is about upholding justice and stopping the abuse of authority that tarnishes the image of our law enforcement institutions," Bouli stated.

No official response has yet been issued by the police authorities regarding the allegations.

This case adds to mounting public scrutiny over police conduct in Cameroon, especially amid ongoing national debates about governance, abuse of office, and the role of security forces in civil society. Prominent figures, including MP Peter William Mandio and academic Dr. Fridolin Nke, have recently condemned escalating police violence and called for sweeping reforms.

Reporting by Cameroon Concord Newsroom | Yaoundé