A domestic tragedy struck Nkongsamba on March 8, 2026, when a chief peacekeeper, Mathurin Bengono, was fatally stabbed by his wife at their home. The police officer was serving at the 3rd district police station in the city.
Initial reports suggest that a marital dispute, fueled by suspicions of infidelity, escalated into violence in front of their two children, ages 17 and 12. The incident occurred in the Pastoral district of Nkongsamba, in the Littoral region. Mathurin Bengono had just returned home after a night shift when the argument broke out.
The dispute, initially verbal, quickly escalated. The wife, in a fit of anger, allegedly grabbed a knife and fatally stabbed her husband, hitting his heart. The children's cries alerted neighbors and fellow police officers, who rushed to the scene.
Seriously injured, Mathurin Bengono was rushed to the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital by colleagues and local residents. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries before reaching the emergency room.
Local sources indicate that the couple had a history of recurring tensions related to suspicions of infidelity. These repeated conflicts are said to have strained their relationship over time.
The police officer's body was transferred to the morgue at the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital. His wife was immediately arrested and taken into custody at the Nkongsamba Central Police Station, where an investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy.
This tragedy highlights the issue of domestic violence, a persistent problem in Cameroon. A UN Women study conducted in 2021 revealed that 30% of Cameroonian women reported experiencing physical violence or threats of violence at home. In December 2025, a television debate on Canal 2 International highlighted the stagnation of gender-based violence figures in Cameroon, despite ongoing efforts.
