Sunday, February 09, 2025

Unveiling Tomorrow's Cameroon Through Today's News

Breaking

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon, Jan. 21, 2025 — A disturbing new tactic of robbery has emerged in Cameroon, targeting unsuspecting citizens in broad daylight. This method, detailed in a social media post by whistleblower N'Zui Manto, has sparked widespread alarm and calls for vigilance.

The Modus Operandi

According to Manto, criminals—some posing as plainclothes police officers—have adopted a sophisticated strategy to extort unsuspecting victims:

  1. The Setup: The perpetrators park their vehicles in discreet locations and scatter national ID cards (CNI) on the street.
  2. The Bait: Unsuspecting pedestrians or motorists, noticing the discarded ID cards, stop to pick them up.
  3. The Confrontation: The criminals then emerge from hiding, claiming to be undercover police officers. They accuse the victim of trafficking ID cards, using this pretext to demand money or valuables.
  4. The Threat: Victims are coerced into complying under the threat of being taken to Bonanjo, Douala’s administrative hub, where they are told they could face severe legal consequences.

Manto’s report highlights that some of these perpetrators may genuinely be rogue police officers abusing their authority, while others are ordinary criminals exploiting this guise to intimidate and rob.

Daylight Crime and Impunity

The shift to committing crimes during the day reflects an unsettling trend in Cameroon, where perpetrators act with increasing boldness. “Time is money,” Manto wrote, noting that criminals no longer wait for the cover of night. This brazenness raises questions about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in curbing such activities.

The Voice of a Whistleblower

N'Zui Manto, an exiled whistleblower known for his deep network of informants within Cameroon’s political and security establishments, has consistently exposed corruption and abuses. Manto receives confidential information from disillusioned members of the Biya regime, ordinary citizens, and even law enforcement officials. His reports have made him an outspoken critic and a target of the Yaoundé administration, forcing him into exile.

His latest revelation has ignited discussions about corruption within the police force and the urgent need for reform. The phenomenon of daylight crime adds to the growing concerns about lawlessness and the erosion of public trust in security institutions.

Public Reaction and Safety Measures

The public has responded to Manto’s post with both outrage and fear. Citizens are urged to exercise caution, particularly when encountering suspicious situations involving ID cards or individuals claiming to be undercover officers.

Civil society groups have called for an investigation into these allegations, emphasizing the need for stronger oversight of law enforcement practices. Critics argue that the prevalence of such scams undermines the credibility of the police force and further endangers public safety.

A Growing Challenge

As Cameroon grapples with economic hardship and political instability, crime and corruption remain significant challenges. Whistleblowers like N’Zui Manto play a critical role in exposing these issues, but their efforts also highlight the need for systemic change.

For now, Manto’s warning serves as a crucial reminder for citizens to remain vigilant, as the nation continues to contend with evolving criminal tactics and the enduring issue of impunity.