Four Cameroonian state employees have been kidnapped in the Faro-et-Deo department of the Adamawa region, according to reports in the daily newspaper L'œil du Sahel. The victims include two teachers, a motorcycle taxi driver, and the head of the Kontcha forestry post. The incidents took place between Mayo-Baléo and Kontcha.
The two teachers, Nadège Nganjo, headmistress of the Gadjiwan primary school, and a certain Yong, a teacher at the same school, were abducted on March 12 while traveling from Mayo-Baléo to Kontcha. Kentourè Ousseini, the motorcycle taxi driver transporting them, was also kidnapped. Cyrille Mbah, head of the Kontcha forestry post, had disappeared shortly before while traveling to his post from Tignère.
Ransom demands have been made for the release of the hostages. The district inspector told L'œil du Sahel that he had been contacted by the headmistress, using an unknown number, who informed him that the kidnappers were demanding 15 million FCFA per person. The departmental delegate for Forestry and Wildlife (Minfof) of Faro and Deo sent a letter to Minfof stating that Cyrille Mbah was abducted on March 12 while traveling to Kontcha after a meeting in Tignère. The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 50 million FCFA for his release, payable within three days of March 13, 2026. No information has been released regarding a possible ransom for the motorcycle taxi driver.
Kidnappings for ransom are on the rise in the Faro-et-Deo department, an enclave in the Adamawa region. The significant distance between Ngaoundéré, the regional capital, and many localities, combined with the poor condition of the roads, promotes insecurity.
These incidents highlight the persistent security challenges in certain regions of Cameroon, where limited access and precarious infrastructure create an environment conducive to crime. The situation highlights the vulnerability of local populations and state agents to these acts of banditry.
