The peaceful town of Abong-Mbang is in shock following the grim discovery of the body of Jean Claude Nguepi, a well-known local merchant, who had been missing since April 1, 2026. His body was found on Sunday, April 12, 2026, buried in a bushy area near the village of Mboumo, not far from Oboul.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of several suspects, who confessed to having ambushed Nguepi. According to their confessions, they had contacted the merchant under the pretext of selling him a stock of goods. Once on the scene, Nguepi was shot at point-blank range with a homemade gun. The criminals then hid the body in a hole dug in the bush and hid the victim's motorcycle nearby. They also took the money that Nguepi had planned to use for his purchases.
Nguepi's wife, Atsolefack Louise, had reported him missing after he did not return from a trip to supply local products, including djansang and mbalaka, in the Covagro Oboul area. He was then due to travel to Dschang for a family visit. The growing concern of his family had led to a search notice and the involvement of the Bagofit gendarmerie brigade, under the leadership of Chief Warrant Officer Endja Émile Roger.
The suspects led law enforcement to the location where they had buried Nguepi, allowing the body to be exhumed and the facts to be reconstructed. The devastated Nguepi family is now preparing for the funeral of Jean Claude, affectionately nicknamed "papa Tagne" by his relatives. The suspects are expected to be brought before the public prosecutor and then brought before the competent courts.
