On March 23, 2026, the 5th Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) freed five people who had been kidnapped on March 13, 2026, in Kontcha, in the Adamaoua region. The hostages were found safe and sound in Mbé, where their captors had abandoned them under military pressure.
Upon learning of the kidnapping, the 5th BIR elements set up a system combining intelligence, ground sweeping, and collaboration with local populations. Under the leadership of Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Richard Tsoungui Omam, the soldiers intensified their search, putting pressure on the kidnappers.
Cornered, the kidnappers chose to flee, abandoning their hostages in the bush between March 22 and 23. The hostages, realizing they were alone the next morning, contacted their families, which made it possible to locate them quickly. A military source quoted by L’Œil du Sahel highlighted the close collaboration between the families and the 5th BIR's crisis headquarters, which facilitated the geolocation.
The five people released, Cyrille Mbah, Ngwebam Ngadjo, Sylvia Yong, Vincent Kempoure, and Harouna Adamou, were taken to the 5th BIR command post for identification and received medical care.
The Adamaoua region, particularly the Kontcha district, faces persistent security challenges, including kidnappings for ransom. The proximity of the Nigerian border makes it a transit area for armed groups that target farmers, traders, and residents. Recently, on March 22, 2026, twelve people were kidnapped on the road from Meïganga to Yamba, including students and a teacher. In addition, on March 9, 2026, the daughter of a pastor was kidnapped in the Faro and Deo division, with a ransom of 10 million FCFA demanded for her release.
This release of hostages underscores the importance of close collaboration between the military forces and local communities. For the people of Adamaoua, this event brings some relief, while remembering that security in the region remains a constant concern. The vigilance of the defense forces and the cooperation of the populations remain essential to ensure an effective response to insecurity.
