Seven civilians, including two infants, detained in Ndop, NGO reveals, condemn
Bamenda, Cameroon – June 27, 2025 – Seven unarmed civilians, including two infants aged two and three months, have been illegally arrested and detained by Cameroonian Defense and Security forces in Ndop, Ngoketunjia Division, North West Region.These arrests, which occurred on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 , have been revealed and strongly condemned by Conscience Africaine, a human rights organization, CNA has seen a document signed by the Scribe of the organisation.
According to reliable sources and eyewitnesses cited by Conscience Africaine, the individuals were apprehended at Mufuo quarter, Bamessing Village, after Julius Weyang, a 39-year-old mechanic, was initially arrested at his garage in Ndop and taken to Bamessing. Eyewitnesses report that the civilians were allegedly tortured by the security forces. They are currently being held at the Ndop Gendarmerie Brigade, Ngoketunjia Division, North West Region.
The detained individuals have been identified by Conscience Africaine as Madam Seraph Woh, 68; Julius Weyang, 39; Joycelyn Ndum, 22, mother of the 3-month-old baby; Blanche Yocnteh, 22, mother of the 2-month-old baby; and Justine Bechu, 24. Reports indicate that some of the victims, including the infants, are already suffering from illness due to poor detention conditions.
Conscience Africaine’s further findings suggest that the arrested individuals are family members of “General A Nova Die,” an armed separatist leader. This incident follows the kidnapping of approximately 14 unarmed civilians by armed separatists under General A Nova Die’s leadership earlier on June 24, 2025, in Sabga Hill, Turbah sub-division. While most of the kidnapped civilians were later released after ransom payments, one Gendarme Officer working in Ndop remains captive.
In a deeply concerning development, Mr. Kongeh Handerson Qwetong, the Senior Divisional Officer for Ngoketunjia Division, has reportedly vowed to publicly execute the arrested civilians if the Gendarme Officer is not released, Conscience Africaine, revealed, adding that his jurisdiction has a history of public executions of unarmed civilians, with a recent case occurring in May 2025.
Conscience Africaine strongly condemns these actions, emphasizing that “Criminal Responsibility is Personal” and no one should suffer for another’s crime. The organization asserts that these arrests violate fundamental human rights principles enshrined in Cameroon’s Constitution, Penal Code, and international law, including the prohibition of illegal arrests, torture, cruel treatment, and the right to liberty and security.
As of the time of Conscience Africaine’s report, the victims remain detained, and there has been no official reaction from local authorities. Conscience Africaine is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detained civilians. They are also calling for an end to impunity in the Anglophone regions, urging immediate and impartial investigations to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable.
