A 38-year-old man was arrested in Njimom, in the Noun department, West region of Cameroon, after being caught raping his 12-year-old niece in a mosque. The incident occurred on the night of March 18 to 19, 2026, during Ramadan.
Ayouba M., married and father of two, was discovered by a mosque worshiper, alerted by the unusual behavior of the young girl. According to local sources, the victim, Yasmine, used to stay at the mosque after evening prayers, claiming she wanted to pray to find a good husband. Her mother, reassured by this explanation, was not suspicious.
The witness, becoming suspicious, discreetly watched Yasmine. Around 11 p.m., he saw Ayouba M. enter the mosque and abuse his niece. He immediately alerted the inhabitants of the village of Machoutvi, Njimom subdivision, who apprehended the man.
Confronted with the facts before the villagers, Ayouba M. and Yasmine confessed. The uncle admitted that it was the fourth time he had assaulted his niece, while Yasmine revealed that the abuse had been going on for a long time.
Ayouba M. was immediately handed over to the competent authorities of Noun. This case raises serious concerns about the safety of children and the violation of places of worship. Local authorities should open a thorough investigation and take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of minors and severely punish the perpetrators of such acts. Child rights organizations have often denounced the increase in cases of sexual abuse of minors in Cameroon.
This incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and awareness of sexual violence issues, particularly with regard to children. It is crucial that communities work together to create safe and protective environments for young people, and that victims feel safe to report abuse.
Justice must be served in order to punish this heinous act and deter potential other aggressors. The protection of children remains an absolute priority and requires the commitment of all actors in society.
Ayouba M.'s case is reminiscent of other similar cases where uncles have abused the trust of their nieces. In July 2025, in South Africa, a man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping his 10-year-old niece. In October of the same year, in Ireland, another uncle was imprisoned for sexual assaults on his niece in the 1990s.
